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CBI re-registers case against Bhupinder Hooda in land allotment
Skill development, solar energy changing life in Jharkhand: Modi
Jef Bezos selling Amazon stake to fund Blue Origin rocket irm
No place for Leander Paes in Davis Cup team to face Uzbekistan
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SC proposes joint trial of Babri cases
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25-year delay amounts to ‘evasion of justice’, says Bench
BHUBANESWAR
Krishnadas Rajagopal
After sufering a jolt in the panchayat elections in February, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik seems to be seeking a fresh start to save the image of his party as well his government. What has made Mr. Patnaik sit up and take notice is the BJP’s hype over its unexpected performance in the rural polls.
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Punjab govt pursuing vendetta politics: SAD CHANDIGARH
The Shiromani Akali Dal has accused the Amarinder Singh government of indulging in vendetta politics and claimed that any action against its workers will be vehemently opposed by the party. NORTH
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Farmers welcome BJP govt’s loan waiver MEERUT
Farmers have largely welcomed the UP government’s decision to waive farm loans worth ₹36,000 crore, even though some of them accused the government of betrayal. NORTH
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Noting that the 25-year pendency of the dual Babri Masjid demolition case trials in Lucknow and Raebareli amounts to “evasion of justice”, the Supreme Court on Thursday indicated that it proposes to order a joint trial in a Lucknow court after reviving criminal conspiracy charges against BJP veterans L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and other Sangh Parivar leaders in connection with the razing down of the 16th century mosque in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992 by kar sevaks. A Bench of Justices P.C. Ghose and Rohinton Nariman hinted that the court will invoke its extraordinary constitutional powers under Article 142 to transfer the pending trial in a Raebareli magistrate court and club it with criminal proceedings in the Lucknow CBI Court against “lakhs of unknown kar sevaks.” The court indicated that it will order the CBI court to conduct a timebound trial and complete it in two years. So far 195 witnesses have been examined in the Lucknow case while a whopping 800 witnesses remain to testify. In Raebareli, 57 witnesses have been examined while 105 wait their turn. Mr. Advani, Dr. Joshi and six other politicians
were accused in the Rae Bareilly case for giving provocative speeches. “Kindly notice that this is a matter of 1992. Twenty-five years have passed. Our answer is have it on a day-today basis and finish it off in the next two years,” Justice Ghose observed. Justice Nariman at one point orally remarked how “many of the accused are dead and some will die now.”
Charges dropped A Special Court had in May 2001 dropped the criminal conspiracy charges against Mr. Advani and top BJP and Sangh Parivar leaders, including Ashok Singhal, Giri-
raj Kishore, Murli Manohar Joshi, V.H. Dalmia, Vinay Katiyar, Uma Bharti and Sadhvi Rithambhara. The Allahabad HC had dismissed the CBI plea to revive the conspiracy charges in May 2010, following which the agency moved the SC in February 2011. The court reserved the appeal for judgment after a day-long hearing. “They cannot go scot-free. If Lucknow and Raebareli are pari materia, the conspiracy charge against them should revive and both cases be tried jointly,” Justice Nariman observed. CONTINUED ON 쑺 PAGE 8
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Draped in white
She was taking a walk in a park when the crime took place, motive still unclear tack,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (North-West) Milind Mahadeo Dumbre. The PCR call was made around 7.30 p.m. “As per her daily routine, she left home around 5 p.m. Later we got a call from the local police claiming that my sister has been hurt badly and was getting treated at the Deep Chand Hospital,” said Prachi, Ms Kalra’s sister.
Staff Reporter New Delhi
Delhi-based freelance journalist Aparna Kalra is battling for life after she was brutally attacked at a park in North West Delhi’s Ashok Vihar where she had gone for an evening walk on Wednesday. Twenty four hours after the incident, there is little clarity about the sequence, motive or suspects who carried out the attack. The park, ‘Picnic Hut,’ where the incident took place, sees a sizeable footfall and yet not a single eyewitness has come forward so far. Ms. Kalra (45) sustained multiple fractures on her skull after being attacked with sharp and blunt objects, including a heavy stone, the police said. She is currently in the ICU of Fortis Hospital in Shalimar Bagh and the doctors said the next CM YK
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48 hours were extremely crucial for her. The park where she was attacked is barely 100 metres from her house and it was a passerby, Sanjay, who first noticed the injured Ms. Kalra. “Sanjay informed us about the incident but said he did not witness the at-
Shifted to Fortis In Deep Chand Hospital, doctors told the family that she needed an immediate neuro surgery, which was not possible at their hospital, and the victim was referred to Fortis. According to the police, before falling unconscious at the hospital, Ms Kalra told them she had been attacked. The family said she kept slipping in and out of
consciousness. The park is poorly lit and locals as well as the police said anti social elements and drug addicts frequent the park in the evening. The police tried to recreate the crime scene under similar lighting conditions and were also speaking to people who are known to be more regular visitors at the park. A journalist with over two decades of experience, Ms. Kalra has worked with The Times of India, Business Standard, Financial Express. More recently she has been contributing to news websites. While robbery has been ruled out as the motive by the police, Prachi and another relative, H.C. Bhatia, ruled out any link with her writings. The family also denied that she had any enmity with anyone.
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Chair asks for correct version; Naqvi denies incident
Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel on Thursday stressed the need for building a national consensus on loan waiver schemes. Addressing a press conference here, he said this was needed so that promises such as loan waivers are not made during elections. “We need to create consensus so that such loan waiver promises are eschewed. Otherwise, subsovereign fiscal challenges in this context could eventually affect the national balance sheet,” he said. The Governor said loan waiver undermined an honest credit culture. “It impacts credit discipline. It plugs incentives for future borrowers to repay.” Such schemes would also impact the cost of borrowing for the government. This could, in turn, adversely impact private investment. CONTINUED ON 쑺 PAGE 8 RBI HOLDS RATE 쑺 PAGE 11 GROWTH, WITH CAVEATS 쑺 EDITORIAL
Special Correspondent NEW DELHI
Both Houses of Parliament on Thursday witnessed heated exchanges on the alleged killing of a man by ‘gau rakshaks’ (cow vigilantes) at Alwar in Rajasthan, with Congress Rajya Sabha member Madhusudan Mistry demanding the dismissal of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the State in view of the “breakdown of constitutional machinery.” Tapan Kumar Sen of the Communist Party of IndiaMarxist (CPI-M), too, said the constitutional machinery had broken down in the State, seeing the incident as a “clear case of gangsterism.” However, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi denied that such an incident happened, prompting Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad to cite a report in the New York Times to claim that the Minister was “ill-informed.” Mr. Naqvi also cautioned
that the House should not be seen as “supporting” cow slaughter.
Give details: Kurien Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha P.J. Kurien said the government should give details about the incident to the House, as there were conflicting versions. “To the notice of the Chair, two versions are brought. If the incident has happened, then it is serious. But if the incident has not happened and has been narrated here as if it has
happened, that is also serious. Therefore, I would like to know the correct version. I am asking the Minister to convey to the Home Minister the need to inquire into it and report to the House,” he said. In the Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the Rajasthan government had taken cognisance of the incident, and a police case had been registered. CONTINUED ON 쑺 PAGE 8 BARBARISM UNLIMITED 쑺 EDITORIAL
Gaikwad ‘regrets’ Air India incident But insists he owes no apology to the airline’s oicials; wants ban lifted Special Correspondent NEW DELHI
Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad on Thursday wrote to Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ashok Gajapati Raju, expressing “regrets” at the incident on board an Air India flight on March 23. The MP has been accused of assaulting the airline’s officer with his slippers. The MP’s letter, in the possession of The Hindu, states that he “regrets the incident,” but stops short of accepting guilt. Instead, he says investigations will reveal the truth. He requests Mr.
BEIJING
Journalist battles for life after attack
Kol k ata
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Atul Aneja
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Alwar violence sparks war of words in Parliament
Beijing keeps up tirade against visit of Dalai Lama
No heat and dust: Srinagar was covered with snow on Thursday. The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was closed after landslips as fresh snowfall occurred across the Kashmir Valley. Schools have been closed till Sunday. NISSAR AHMAD (REPORT ON PAGE 3)
T i ru c hi r a pa ll i
RBI chief hits out at farm loan waiver MUMBAI
Patnaik seeks to turn over a new leaf after jolt
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Ravindra Gaikwad speaks in Lok Sabha on Thursday. PTI *
Raju’s to lift the restrictions imposed on him by various airlines. Sources in the Ministry of Aviation told The Hindu that
while the letter was a welcome development, the Shiv Sena’s defiant press conference on Thursday afternoon threatening to boycott an NDA meeting on April 10 if the ban wasn’t lifted was a problem. “There is, however, a possibility that both Mr. Raju and Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha would be holding a press meet on the issue,” said an official source.
House adjourned The letter came at the end of a day of dramatic developments that included a state-
ment by Mr. Gaikwad in the Lok Sabha and an adjournment of the House forced by Shiv Sena MPs who surrounded Mr. Raju when he made no move to lift the ban on the MP. In a rapid sequence of events in the Lok Sabha and outside it, Mr. Gaikwad first wanted the House to hear his version of events that led to the ban by several airlines. The MP tendered an apology to Parliament, but insisted that he owed no apology to the airline officials. CONTINUED ON 쑺 PAGE 8
TRAI asks Reliance Jio to withdraw ofer Special Correspondent MUMBAI
Reliance Jio on Thursday decided to withdraw its complimentary ‘Jio Summer Surprise’ offer after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) asked the
Mukesh Ambani-led firm to do so. “Jio is in the process of fully complying with the regulator’s advice, and will be withdrawing the threemonth complimentary benefits as soon as operationally
feasible over the next few days,” a company statement said. On March 31, Reliance Jio extended the deadline for the ₹303 plan until April 15. CONTINUED ON 쑺 PAGE 8
The visit of the Dalai Lama to Arunachal Pradesh has sharpened the focus on India’s commitment to the ‘One-China’ policy, amid accusations by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Thursday that the Tibetan leader’s trip to the “disputed areas” was fuelling tensions between the two neighbours. Asked whether Beijing saw any link between the Dalai Lama’s visit and New Delhi’s position on the ‘One-China’ policy, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said: “I want to re-emphasise that on issues concerning China’s major concerns and core interests, territorial and sovereignty, China’s position is consistent.
‘Fuelled tension’ “By inviting and approving [the] Dalai Lama to [visit] areas of dispute between China and India, India has damaged our interests and the India-China relationship, and it has fuelled tensions. We oppose the visit to relevant areas and oppose attempts by relevant countries to arrange a platform for Dalai [Lama] to conduct anti-China activities. We urge relevant country to stop su- ch erroneous actions and stop undermining Chinese interests,” she said. An editorial in the staterun China Daily drew a parallel between Taiwan and Tibet. M ND-ND
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Timings
Friday, April 07
RISE 06:05 SET 18:42 RISE 15:15 SET 03:41 Saturday, April 08
RISE 06:03 SET 18:43 RISE 16:11 SET 04:20 Sunday, April 09
RISE 06:02 SET 18:43 RISE 17:07 SET 04:58
Patnaik seeks to turn over a new leaf after rural poll jolt Police of all districts to open official Facebook page and Twitter account to help people in distress and address their grievances immediately.
BHUBANESWAR
Press Trust of India Biharsharif
Two persons were killed and another injured when the motorcycle they were riding collided with a bus near Dhobhibigha village in Nalanda, the police said. The incident took place when the speeding bus rammed the motorcycle killing two persons on the spot while another sustained serious injuries, Asthawan police station incharge Rajiv Ranjan said. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem and the injured man has been hospitalised, Mr. Ranjan said, adding that efforts were on to identify the injured.
With folded hands
CM focuses on good governance, again hints at Cabinet reshule in near future Prafulla Das
Accident kills two in Bihar
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After suffering a jolt in the panchayat elections in February, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik seems to be seeking a fresh start to save the image of his party as well his government. What has made Mr. Patnaik sit up and take notice is the Bharatiya Janata Party’s hype over its unexpected performance in the rural polls in which the saffron party made major gains and managed to emerge as the Biju Janata Dal’s main rival by surpassing the Congress. On Thursday, the Chief Minister again hinted that he would carry out a Cabinet reshuffle in the near future.
Names handed over With a view to give a new impetus to governance, the State Cabinet meeting that Mr. Patnaik chaired on Wednesday gave new names to a few government departments, including the Pan-
Fresh start: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at his residence in Bhubaneswar on Thursday. PTI *
chayati Raj Department and the Women and Child Welfare Department. Mr. Patnaik was also prompt in ordering a Crime Branch probe into the objectionable Facebook posts of some students of city-based Rama Devi Women’s University on March 26. On March 30, he directed the police to inquire and
take immediate action in connection with an incident in which a journalist was allegedly molested in a running bus.
Active on social media Apart from becoming active on social media in recent weeks, Mr. Patnaik has directed Director General of Police to ask Superintendent of
Daily interactions In order to strengthen his party organisation at the grassroots level, Mr. Patnaik has been interacting with his party’s newly elected panchayat representatives from two districts each on a daily basis since April 2. During these ongoing interactions at the BJD headquarters, Mr. Patnaik has been hearing suggestions from the representatives and advising them to work hard for the cause of the people. The Chief Minister, who on Wednesday termed Union Minister Jual Oram’s Tuesday’s statement that some BJD Ministers, MPs and MLAs were in contact with the BJP “wishful thinking”, is trying hard to tighten his hold over the party.
Concern over armed children at rally Press Trust of India Kolkata
Political parties and intellectuals have expressed concern over children carrying swords and knives in RSSbacked Ram Navami processions in various parts of West Bengal on Wednesday. Ruling TMC and Opposition Left
Front asked what “culture” was the RSS and BJP trying to import into Bengal. Over 200 Ram Navami processions were taken out across West Bengal under the banner of Rama Navami Udjapan Samity “to unite the Hindus” against what they called “growing jihadi activit-
ies” in the state.
CM hits out Students and minors were seen participating with swords and knives in some of the processions. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also accused “some BJP leaders” of carrying arms in the proces-
sions, and said the law will take its course against such people. “Some BJP leaders who do not know Bengali culture held processions with swords to create an atmosphere of fear (during Ram Navami). But can anyone perform puja with a sword?” she said.
0 DISCLAIMER: Readers are requested to verify and make appropriate enquiries to satisfy themselves about the veracity of an advertisement before responding to any published in this newspaper. Kasturi & Sons Limited, the Publisher & Owner of this newspaper, does not vouch for the authenticity of any advertisement or advertiser or for any of the advertiser’s products and/or services. In no event can the Owner, Publisher, Printer, Editor, Director/s, Employees of this newspaper/company be held responsible/liable in any manner whatsoever for any claims and/or damages for advertisements in this newspaper.
Courting trouble: Jan Adhikar Party chief and member of Parliament Pappu Yadav being taken to court by the police in Patna on Thursday. He was arrested on March 27 for allegedly disturbing law and order in the State. PTI *
Cong may go to court for Minister’s disqualiication Manipur Minister in BJP govt yet to formally quit Congress Iboyaima Laithangbam IMPHAL
He is a Cabinet Minister in the newly sworn in BJP government, yet to resign formally The Opposition Congress in Manipur may go to court demanding disqualification of Thounaojam Shyamkumar Singh, who is a Cabinet Minister in the newly sworn in BJP government.
Won from Cong Talking to The Hindu on Thursday, Manipur Congress spokesperson K. Debabrata said Mr. Shyamkumar Singh
took oath as Minister on March 15 while still a Congress MLA. He won the March elections from Andro constituency with a wide margin on a Congress ticket and is yet to resign from the party formally, said the State Congress.
Show-cause notice The party served Mr. Shyamkumar Singh a showcause notice on March 15 but it was ignored. The party then petitioned Speaker Y. Khemchand Singh to take steps to disqualify him. The Speaker said the petition by
10 MLAs has been referred to the Assembly Secretary and that the matter is “under process”. However, the Opposition make take recourse to legal redress due to lack of a time frame. Sources said Mr. Shyamkumar Singh wasn’t unduly worried about a byelection even if disqualified as he was confident of winning again. Commenting on the anticorruption cell set up by the new government, the Congress denied that corruption was a legacy of its 15-year rule.
Prohibitory orders clamped in Bhadrak Communal tension in Odisha town Satyasundar Barik BHUBANESWAR
Prohibitory orders were clamped and security stepped up in Bhadrak town of Odisha after Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal activists took to the streets on Thursday over a controversial post about Hindu deities in social media.
‘Objectionable’ remarks After tension gripped the town in the afternoon, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC were imposed banning the gathering of five or more persons. Two persons were detained in connection with the post. Demanding arrest of the person who posted the ‘objectionable’ remarks on Hindu dieties, VHP and Bajrang Dal activists lodged a complaint with the Bhadrak Town police station. They also laid siege to the police station and blocked
major roads to the town. The police resorted to a mild lathi-charge to disperse the protesters after some roadside meat shops were set on fire at Banto Square. As the protesters started shouting slogans after burning tyres on the roads, commercial establishments rolled down their shutters. Vehicles were stranded as the protesters squatted on National Highway passing through the town. The police cleared the blockade and vehicles started moving in the evening. About 10 platoons of police were deployed in the town. “The situation is tense, but under control. We are keeping a close watch and police personnel have been deployed all over town,” Ghanshyam Upadhyay, Inspector General of Police, Eastern Region, told The Hindu over phone. The prohibitory orders will remain in force till Friday evening, the police said.
Published by N. Ram at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860, Anna Salai, Chennai-600002 and Printed by S. Ramanujam at HT Media Ltd. Plot No. 8, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida Distt. Gautam Budh Nagar, U.P. 201306, on behalf of KASTURI & SONS LTD., Chennai-600002. Editor: Mukund Padmanabhan (Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act). Regd. DL(ND)-11/6110/2006-07-08 RNI No. TNENG/2012/49940 ISSN 0971 - 751X Vol. 7 No. 83 ●
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IN BRIEF
Three soldiers trapped in Ladakh avalanche Scores of people evacuated from Baramulla following a lood alert in Kashmir; ive killed in Himachal Pradesh
10 held for anti-India slogans Press Trust of India
Peerzada Ashiq Kanwar Yogendra
Khattar asks I-T dept to provide data for survey PANCHKULA
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday asked I-T officials to provide the State government authentic data on people’s income, earnings and properties so that it can be incorporated in the SRDB survey. - PTI
Clash over shifting of liquor shop in M.P. BHOPAL
Two vehicles were burnt and four others damaged in Bareli town of Raisen district after locals and employees of a liquor contractor clashed over shifting of the shop to a residential area. The residents of Krishna Colony, where the shop was being moved from the nearby highway, opposed the shifting. - PTI
Clash in Kanpur over procession route Kanpur A clash erupted in Akbarpur town of Kanpur Rural district after members of a community objected to a Navratra procession changing its traditional route to pass through a minoritydominated area. The two sides started pelting stones at each other after an argument over the route. - PTI
Maoists involved in attack on CRPF men held
Srinagar, Shimla
Unprecedented snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir triggered multiple avalanches in the Ladakh region, trapping five soldiers under snow, an Army official said on Thursday. They were trapped when an Army post was buried in the Batalik sector, the official said. Two of them have been rescued, while efforts were on to save the other three, he said. “The rescue operation for the remaining three soldiers is in progress. Specially trained Avalanche Rescue Teams have been deployed,” the official added. An flood alert were issued in Kashmir on Thursday while the death toll due to heavy rainfall climbed to five in Himachal Pradesh. An avalanche warning has been issued for the next 24 hours in the Valley’s hilly areas, especially in Kargil district. “High-danger avalanche warning has been issued for the next 24 hours, from April 6 to 7, for avalanche-prone slopes in Kargil. A mediumdanger avalanche warning exists for Kupwara, Bandipora, and Baramulla districts for the same period,” said a government spokesman. The flood alert was sounded after the Jhelum crossed the danger mark in south and central Kashmir following incessant snowfall and rain since April 4.
RAIPUR
Two naxals, allegedly involved in the last month’s attack on a CRPF patrolling team in Bhejji in which 12 troopers were killed, were arrested from Sukma district, police said on Thurtsday. The cadres, identified as Padam Mukka (28) and Kuram Guddi (27), were picked up on Wednesday by a joint police team. - PTI
‘Remain vigilant’ According to a government spokesman, people living along the embankments of the Jhelum and those in the low-lying areas of south and central Kashmir have been asked to “remain vigilant”. Schools have been closed till April 9, while the Kashmir University and the Islamic University of Science and
Technology have postponed examinations scheduled for Thursday. The rain also triggered flash floods in north Kashmir with scores of people being evacuated in Baramulla, even as several low-lying localities in Srinagar were submerged. The State Disaster Response Fund and Directorate of Health Service (Kashmir) have issued helpline numbers and asked doctors to be alert. The local MeT department has said that the weather was likely to improve from Friday and that a situation like that of 2014 won’t arise. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, meanwhile, has called for a unified control room to monitor the situation. In Himachal Pradesh, anganwadi worker Laila Matu died in Chamba district’s Dalhousie on Thursday after a gate gave way during a storm. With this, the death toll in the State has touched five. On Wednesday, two people were killed in Rampur while eight others were injured after being hit by lightning. Also, one person died in Sundernagar sub-division of Mandi district while another person died in Kangradistrict’s Dharjot. Traffic was affected because of dislodged Deodar trees and landslides, even as power supply and telecommunication links were disrupted at several places on Thursday. Chief Secretary V.C. Pharka held a State-level disaster management meeting to take stock of the situation. Considering the inclement weather over the last two days, Mr. Pharka has directed the Public Works Department, the Irrigation and Public Health Department and Electricity Department to repair the affected roads, water supply and electricity
Sheopur (MP)
Nature’s fury: Vehicles crawl through a water-logged road in Srinagar on Thursday. connections basis.
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As many as 10 people of a minority community have been arrested for allegedly raising “anti-India” slogans and uprooting an RSS flag post in Gandhinagar here on Sunday. The police have also booked around 50 others of the same group in the case. According to the police, the accused had objected to a RSS shakha set up near their place of worship in Gandhinagar. While RSS activists alleged that the members raised anti-India slogans, the latter complained that the RSS workers had hurled stones at their religious place. Bone of contention “The two groups had differences over the piece of land, which belongs to the civic body,” said a police officer, who did not wish to be named. “Earlier, Muslims had organised taqreers [sermons] on the land located close to their mosque. However, of late, the RSS had started holding shakhas there, which did not go down well with members of the minority community. “The next day [April 3], some persons [RSS men] lodged complaint against over 60 people, including 14 identified members of the minority community, alleging that they had raised anti-India slogans and removed the RSS flag. They also alleged that members of the opposite group had attacked them,” said district Superintendent of Police Saket Pandey. Following this, the members of the minority community were booked under Sections 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult religion of any class) and 506 (criminal intimidation).
NISSAR AHMAD
priority
Report losses He has also asked the Agriculture and Horticulture Department to report losses from across the State at the earliest.Confirming the death of two people after being struck by lightning at Khadaan in Shimla district, Mr. Pharka said that ₹10,000 each had been given to the family of the deceased, while the injured had been given ₹4,000 each. He added that one critically injured person had been referred to the Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, and ₹10,000 been granted to his family. (With inputs from PTI)
Roadblock: A damaged road in Shimla on Thursday after a landslide.
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PTI
Farmers welcome BJP govt’s loan waiver
Govt pursuing vendetta politics: SAD
Though some accuse the govt of betrayal for leaving two-third out of ambit
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has accused the Capt. Amarinder Singh-led government of indulging in vendetta politics and claimed that any action against its workers will be vehemently opposed by the party. The remarks came after the government set up a Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday to review alleged false cases and FIRs re-
Staff Reporter Meerut
Rambeer Singh is a farmer in Meerut who owns an acre of farm land, which means he falls in the category of small farmers. He had taken a loan of over ₹1 lakh from cooperative societies and said he is now excited and happy at the decision of the State government to waive loans worth ₹30,729 crore of 2.15 crore small and marginalised farmers who had taken a crop loan up to ₹1 lakh each. Along with this, an additional ₹5,630 crore was given to write-off NPAs of 7 lakh farmers of the State, taking the total farm loan waiver amount to Rs 36,359 crore. Though a detailed guideline is yet to be notified, Mr. Singh is hopeful that the government decision would help him. Farmers have largely welcomed the move, even though some of them accused the government of betraying the farmers by putting a limit to the extent of loan and leaving two thirds of the farmers from the ambit of the relief and pitting those farmers in the State against the small and marginal farmers. Sardar V.M. Singh, a farmer activist whose effort and legal battles have led to several historic judgments in
CHANDIGARH
gistered under the decadelong SAD-BJP rule in the State.
‘Several incidents’ At a meeting held on Wednesday, SAD leaders Maheshinder Singh Grewal and Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said several incidents of targeting of Akali workers had come to fore in a short span of two weeks of the Congress govt rule. “It has come to the notice
Ajmer clerics to move HC Press Trust of India Jaipur
Some cheer: A farmer working on a sugarcane ield in Muzafarnagar district of UP. *
FILE PHOTO: R.V. MOORTHY
favour of the farmers, said: “The loan waiver is not our right so thank you for the waiver. But you had said in the election that sabka saath sabka vikas. Then giving only a section of farmers the benefit when the entire sector is going through acute crisis, would be a betrayal of the promise the Prime Minister made to the people and farmers of the State”. Dharmendra Malik, a farmer and spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, an influential body of farmers in UP, welcomed the decision as a “courageous” step. Talking to The Hindu on
the phone from Muzaffarnagar, Mr. Malik said the move would benefit at least a third of the total farmers in UP.
‘Welcome step’ “It is a welcome step which would benefit at least one third of the small and marginal farmers. In an environment that had propaganda and an atmosphere against loan waiver, this decision of the Adityanath government is a courageous move,” he said. He, however, said that the committee of ministers should also analyse how and
from where the small farmers take loan because they generally avoid institutional loans due to technicalities involved in the process. “So there is a danger that this would benefit only 20% of the small farmers. But even after that the decision would be extremely beneficial for the farming community,” Mr. Malik added. Advocating extension of the eligibility deadline of March 2016 to December 2016, he asked why the farmers who paid back the loan on March 2016 and took another loan for farming, should be punished?
A body of clerics of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti shrine in Ajmer have decided to challenge the acquittal of seven accused, including Swami Assemanand, in the 2007 Dargah bomb blast
case in the Rajasthan High Court. The Anjuman Syed Zadgan, a parent body of khadims, has decided to move the High Court, Secretary for Anjuman Syed Zadgan, Syed Wahid Angarahshah Chishty said.
of the party that duly elected bodies being managed by SAD leaders, which have yet years to complete their terms, are being threatened by Congress leaders by adopting unfair means. This is an illegal, unwarranted and undemocratic act of the Congress leaders to demolish the institutions of democratic process,” a statement issued by the party read. During the meeting, the leaders also met lawyers to
OBITUARY & REMEMBRANCE
chalk out a strategy to “help aggrieved Akali workers”. As per the terms of reference, the Commission will “inquire into cases where persons are said to have been wrongly implicated in false cases/ FIRs in Punjab during the last 10 years and submit its report to government after such inquiry.” The body is headed by former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Mehtab Singh Gill.
DEATH ANNIVERSARIES
DEATH
ED attaches assets worth ₹1.18 crore in Bikaner ‘land grab’ case Special Correspondent New Delhi
The Enforcement Directorate has provisionally attached properties worth ₹1.18 crore of land-record officials and others in connection with money laundering investigations into the alleged Bikaner “land grab” case in Rajasthan. “We have attached the assets of Jai Prakash Bagarwa, the then Patwaris Uma Charan Sharma and Mahaveer Swami, and the then Nayab Tehsildar, Fakir Mohammad. They were alCM YK
legedly involved in fraudulent allotment of land using forged documents of non-existent people,” said an ED official.
Meant for displaced The land was meant for the allotment of persons displaced for developing the Mahajan Field Firing Range. “In this case, 18 cases were registered at the Gajner police station in Bikaner’s Kolayat, during AugustSeptember 2014. Charge sheets were filed against the accused persons in August
2015. On the basis of the FIRs and charge-sheets, an investigation was taken up under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by the Directorate in September 2015. “ED probe revealed that with a view to grab the land, accused stole some blank allotment letters with stamp on them from the Colonisation Department. The Patwaries tipped off Jai Prakash about the land. The stolen material was used for preparing forged allotment letters,” said the official. M ND-ND
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Dalit death: HC orders fresh autopsy Hartal hits normal life in Kerala
IN BRIEF
Civil society organisations allege role of ‘upper’ castes in the mysterious incident
Called to protest police action on Jishnu Prannoy’s mother Special Correspondent
HYDERABAD
per’ caste in Venkatapur, located 10 km away.
Investigation into the death of a Dalit, M. Madhukar, in the Peddapally district of Telangana, allegedly involving the ‘upper’ castes of his village, took a crucial turn on Thursday. The High Court in Hyderabad directed the authorities to conduct another postmortem of his body. Dalit organisations and people's associations have been agitating for a fortnight to seek justice for Madhukar’s family. They have alleged that the police are trying to protect the accused by registering a case of suspicious death. The Manthani police of the newly formed Ramagundam police commissionerate, who had stuck to their stand that it was a case of
Physical injuries Madhukar left his house on the morning of March 13 and was found dead in the bushes the next day on the village outskirts. “There were injuries on his eyes and private parts. He was tortured to death by the woman’s family members who came to know of the love affair,” Madhukar's sibling M. Shekhar alleged. Even as Madhukar’s family members alleged foul play in the death, the police maintained that Madhukar committed suicide by consuming pesticide. Suspicions raised by the victim's family got support after some photos of his body with injuries surfaced on social media.
Special Correspondent
Foundation stone of Sabarimala mast placed SABARIMALA
Sabarimala Devaswom workers placed the specially carved foundation stone of the new temple mast in a pit prepared on the Ayyappa temple premises on Thursday. The ceremonial installation of the stone will be held between 10.45 a.m. and 12 noon on Friday.
Centre declares Kerala drought-hit
Raising questions: Parents of Madhukar, who was found dead last month, suspect foul play. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT *
suspicious death, could not explain how Police Inspector Prabhakar had concluded that it was suicide even before doctors confirmed the cause of death, they said. The organisations have accused him of helping the culprits at the behest of Manthani’s ruling Telangana
Rashtra Samithi MLA Putta Madhu who belongs to the ‘upper’ caste. Commissioner Vikram Jeet Duggal transferred the Inspector two days ago. A resident of Khanapur village, Madhukar, a tractor driver, was reportedly in love with a woman of an ‘up-
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the United Democratic Front and the Bharatiya Janata Party — to protest against the ‘excessive’ use of force by the police on Mahija on Wednesday — hit normal life across Kerala on Thursday. Ms. Mahija is the mother of Jishnu Prannoy, student of the Nehru College of Engineering, Thrissur, who was found hanging in his hostel room in January.
An ordeal: People walk to the Thiruvananthapuram railway station on Thursday. C. RATHEESH KUMAR *
Family on indefinite fast Very few private vehicles were on the road in most parts of the State. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation operated only some services and private transport carriages. Universities chose to postpone their examinations.
Mahija and her brother have begun an indefinite fast at the Government Medical College here. Mahija’s daugther Avishna too has launched an indefinite fast at their home at Vadakara in Kozhikode district.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, however, defended Wednesday’s police action strongly. The government had announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team led by an ADGP to nab the absconding accused in the case, he said.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
The Centre has declared Kerala drought-hit, along with seven other States. Revenue Minister E. Chandrasekharan said the declaration was based on a memorandum submitted to the Union Ministry of Agriculture seeking assistance for drought relief activities. He said a Central team would visit Kerala on April 18 to assess the situation. The eight States have been sanctioned an assistance of ₹24,000 crore from the outlay for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
Heat claims 11 lives in Anantapur district ANANTAPUR
More than 11 persons are suspected to have died in the past 15 days due to sunstroke and exhaustion across Anantapur district. In the last six days, eight persons have died.The officially accepted figure is six, not counting the three deaths on Wednesday and Thursday. Temperature continues to rise in spite of the brief showers over the last two days.
Plus-2 student beaten to death in Kerala
BJP accuses Cong. leader of doling out money ahead of byelection
Jagan seeks action against TDP govt.
It’s not a political murder, say police
Stops short of iling oicial complaint with poll panel
Submits memorandum to President
Special Correspondent ALAPPUZHA
Ananthu Ashokan, a PlusTwo student, was beaten to death by a gang in Cherthala on Wednesday night. The Kerala Police said 10 persons were taken into custody in connection with the incident. The teenager was reportedly attacked by the gang around 11 p.m. near the Neelimangalam Rajarajeswari Temple at Pattanakkad where he had gone for a festival. He had been involved in a quarrel with his schoolmates earlier. The murder was said to be the result of the skirmish.
‘No weapons used’ The attackers included RSS workers but the incident was not a political murder, a
police official said. The victim died of grievous injuries suffered in the physical attack. No weapons were reportedly used in the murder. The LDF and the UDF have called for a dawn-todusk hartal in Alappuzha district on Friday to protest against the murder.
Former RSS loyalist LDF district committee convener R. Nasser alleged that the RSS was behind the murder. The deceased had been an RSS loyalist earlier, but had kept away from its programmes in recent times, he said in a statement. Cherthala town would be exempted from the hartal in view of the Pooram festival at the temple, the statement said.
EDUCATIONAL
Special Correspondent MYSURU
The BJP has demanded action against Karnataka Congress women’s wing president Laxmi Hebbalkar for allegedly distributing money in the bypoll-bound Gundlupet constituency. This followed a video clip, purportedly showing her giving money to a woman, going viral. The BJP, however, is yet to lodge an official complaint. The Congress, meanwhile, has questioned the authenticity of the video. The blurry video shows Ms. Hebbalkar with a wad of currency notes but the context in which she was holding them is not clear. Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Siddarmaiah said the BJP should file a
Laxmi Hebbalkar
complaint with the Election Commission if it had credible evidence.
‘Footage not clear’ “So far, the BJP has not given any official complaint. In the absence of evidence, we cannot even presume that this incident took place in Gundlupet. The video does
not show who is sitting next to her, and we have tried to convince the party to file an official complaint, until which we cannot proceed,” said B. Ramu, Chamarajanagar Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer. Mysuru Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep, who is also the District Election Officer, told The Hindu that BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje had submitted a letter alleging that money was being distributed in the houses of prominent political leaders, including H.C. Mahadevappa, which was not specific to the case involving Ms. Hebbalkar. “We have decided to step up our vigilance. These houses will be under surveillance,” said Mr. Randeep.
EDUCATIONAL
Special Correspondent NEW DELHI
YSR Congress Party chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, along with a delegation of party leaders on Thursday, called on President Pranab Mukherjee. He submitted a memorandum demanding action against the TDP government for providing Cabinet berths to four “turncoat’’ MLAs of his party. Mr. Reddy later told The Hindu: “The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and the Telugu Desam president N. Chandrababu Naidu is resorting to unscrupulous methods to woo and induce the Opposition party legislators to cross over to his party with corrupt money. We have sought the intervention of the President.” The YSRCP leader is on a
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
“save democracy mission” in Andhra Pradesh. According to his party, he will meet leaders from across the political spectrum in the next two to three days to galvanise support to plug the loopholes in the AntiDefection Act.
‘Democracy in peril’ The four-page memorandum alleged that the defectors had become Ministers without resigning from their party and posts. It said defection cases were pending against them. The YSRCP chief said this would imperil democratic values. The TDP had corrupt money to buy off MLAs. “This has been proved in the case of cashfor-vote scam,” he said after meeting the President.
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EDUCATIONAL
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BUSINESS OFFERS IMMDT FINANCE against Properties, Projects,Business, Cheque 08939412205
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IN BRIEF
North to get wildlife DNA bank
Saibaba’s lawyers hasten Girl living with appeal against his sentence monkeys rescued
Staff Reporter Meerut
Award for photo editor of The Hindu MUMBAI
Prashant Nakwe, photo editor of The Hindu, Mumbai, won the second runner-up award for best published photograph at the Standard Chartered Marathon 2017. Mr. Nakwe won a citation and a cash award for his photo of professional runners hurtling towards the finish line, from among 120 entries from 19 publications.
Statement recorded in Narada sting operation NEW DELHI
The CBI on Thursday recorded the statement of Mathew Samuel of Narada which had conducted a sting allegedly against the Trinamool Congress members. The agency asked Mr. Samuel questions pertaining to the circumstances in which he got the sting conducted. The tapes were made public ahead of the West Bengal Assembly polls last year.
North India will soon get its first DNA bank for wildlife. Scientists at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly are in the process of collecting the DNA samples of all kinds of wildlife to set up the bank. It is expected to help in wildlife research and also bring down poaching. According to principal scientist and in-charge of the Centre for Wildlife, IVRI, Anil Kumar Sharma, scientists have been so far been able to collect about 140 samples of 25 wild animals. The DNA bank is expected to start from this year end. Mr. Sharma told The Hindu on phone from Bareilly: “We are making a baseline data of different wild animals. Every time we receive some identified specimen, viscera, skin, part of the body of an animal from either the forest department or zoo, we take out the DNA.”
Searches against govt. oicials in 10 States
Professor’s wife, attorneys fear he won’t survive a long jail term
Found inside wildlife sanctuary
Pavan Dahat
Press Trust of India
NEW DELHI
Nagpur
Bahraich
Attorneys of former Delhi University professor G.N. Saibaba are appealing to higher courts for his release from jail as they fear the wheelchair-bound professor won’t be able to survive a long jail term. The professor was sentenced to life imprisonment last month, for having Maoist links, by a court in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district. Four others, including a former student of Jawaharlal Nehru University ( JNU), Hem Mishra, and human rights activist Prashant Rahi, were also given the same sentence. Advocate Barun Kumar, who is assisting Surendra Gadling, the senior counsel in the case, said, “[Prof. Saibaba] is 90% physically disabled and we don’t think he will live for long if he continues in jail for more than a year. We have already appealed against the lower
An eight-year-old girl found living with a troop of monkeys in the Katarniyaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is now undergoing treatment at a hospital here. After being spotted by locals in the Motipur range of the sanctuary, a police team managed to rescue her in January, but not before overcoming stiff resistance from the monkeys. Assistant Superintendent of Police Dinesh Tripathi said it appeared from her behaviour that she had been living with the monkeys for a long time. She is unable to communicate and screams when people approach her.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday carried out searches in 10 States against senior government officials who face corruption charges in cases registered by various enforcement agencies, including one related to the alleged ‘memorial’ scam during the Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh. The development comes days after the agency cracked down on shell companies across 16 States as part of the Central government’s drive against black money.
Professor G.N. Saibaba
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FILE PHOTO
court’s judgement in the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court and our appeals have been admitted. The court has now asked for records from the lower court.”
Plan to challenge The lawyers also plan to challenge his conviction on some special grounds and seek an early release on bail. Mr. Kumar, however, declined to disclose more de-
tails about the petition. Meanwhile, after visiting Prof. Saibaba in the Nagpur Central Jail on Wednesday, his wife, Vasanti Kumari, said, “His health is in danger. He is not getting the required medical support, and his blood pressure abnormal as well. He has also started suffering from pancreatic pain and is unable to consume the jail food.” The Nagpur Jail in-charge could not be reached for a comment.
Special Correspondent
Visual in social media Chief Medical Superintendent D.K. Singh said this was hindering proper treatment. Her curious condition
Back from the wild: The 8-year-old girl at a hospital in Bahraich . PTI *
came into the limelight after visuals went viral on social media in the past couple of days, police said. “When rescued she had unkempt nails and hair, and there were wounds all over her body... Our priority is to give her proper medical care and look for her parents,” the ASP said.
Money laundering On Thursday, the searches were conducted in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal and Goa, among other States. The ED has already registered money laundering cases against the accused persons.
CBI re-registers case against Hooda
Centre kicks of programme on cyber physical systems
‘Irregularities’ in land allotment to Associated Journals Limited
It deals with self-driven cars, autonomous unmanned vehicles and aircraft navigation systems
Special Correspondent New Delhi
The Central Bureau of Investigation has re-registered a case against former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Hooda and others in connection with alleged irregularities in the allotment of land to the Associated Journals Limited, the publisher of National Herald, in Panchkula. The Enforcement Directorate is already probing the money laundering angle in the case. According to the case, the 3,500 square-metre plot located in the Institutional Area
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Bhupinder Hooda
of Panchkula was allotted to AJL in October 1982 and subsequently, the possession was also given within days. “As per the terms and conditions of allotment, it was necessary for the company to start the construction on the plot within six months from the date of de-
livery of possession and complete the construction within two years. The company failed to raise the construction within the given time. Hence, the allotment was cancelled. The appeals filed against cancellation of allotment were also dismissed,” said CBI spokesperson R.K. Gaur. It has been alleged that Mr. Hooda, as the then HUDA Chairman, in violation of the rules and by misusing his official position, reallocated the plot on October 28, 2005, at the original rates, plus interest thereon till date.
NEW DELHI
for the project in the current financial year.
With autonomous vehicles and robot-executed surgeries becoming commonplace around the world, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has initiated a Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) programme. Still at a nascent stage, it has been conceived as a ₹3,000crore exercise that would, at first, take root in some of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), according to officials familiar with the project. An initial budget of ₹100 crore has been earmarked
Interdisciplinary field tCPS is an interdisciplinary field that deals with the deployment of computer-based systems that do things in the physical world, such as, for instance, the self-driven cars produced by Google and Tesla. However, even smart grids (where electricity is optimally distributed on the basis of calculations in real time by micro-processors) as well as autonomous unmanned vehicles and aircraft navigation systems qualify as ‘cyber
Jacob Koshy
physical systems.’ K.R. Murali Mohan, who heads the CPS programme at the DST, told The Hindu that the thrust of the initiative would be to “break silos” in academia and encourage greater synergy between the university scientists and industry. “Centres of excellence would be developed at the IITs and universities. There would be dedicated courses [on the subject],” he added.
Important area: PM Prime Minister Narendra Modi had referred to cyber physical systems earlier this
year at the Indian Science Congress in Tirupati. Pointing out that it was an “important area that needed to be addressed,” he had noted that it had the “potential to pose unprecedented challenges and stresses to our demographic dividend.” By ensuring that the future workforce is skilled in “robotics, artificial intelligence, digital manufacturing, big data analysis, deep learning, quantum communication and Internet-ofThings,” it could be turned into a huge opportunity, he had said. Though India is only now
developing a programme on CPS, the National Science Foundation of the United States had identified it as a key area of inter-disciplinary research back in 2003. According to Sandeep Kumar Shukla, computer science professor at IIT-Kanpur, the success of such a programme would require consortia of researchers in the field to work together. “IIT Mumbai, for instance, is known for research in power systems, and IIT-Kanpur, for computer science. You need certain groups [with expertise] to come together,” he told The Hindu.
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Friendship is a lowing river Growth, with caveats The Centre must pay heed to RBI Governor Urjit Patel’s plainspeak
Barbarism unlimited
SHEIKH HASINA Maintenance of good relations with the neighbours, friendship to all, malice to none — is the policy I pursue throughout my life. My only desire in my political thought is to build a society for common people where none will sufer from the curse of poverty while their basic needs will be met. In other words, they will get the opportunity to have the right to food, clothing, shelter, medicare, education, improved livelihood and a decent life. I received the teaching of such sacriice from my father. My father, Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, did his politics with a motto to change the lot of the people. Wherever there was an injustice, he would protest it. This was the policy of Bangabandhu and he was always vocal for establishing the rights of the people. And, for that reason, he had to embrace imprisonment time and again and endure persecution. But he remained irm on the question of principle. Bangladesh earned its independence under his leadership. The support and cooperation of neighbouring and friendly countries had accelerated our goal to earn the independence of Bangladesh. Among those, India played the leading role.
India’s helping hand The Pakistani military junta started a genocide launching armed attacks on the innocent Bangalees on March 25, 1971. In the 1970 general elections, people of Bangladesh voted for Bangladesh Awami League and made it the majority party. This is for the irst time that Bangalees had got the mandate to rule Pakistan. Although the population of East Bengal constituted the majority in Pakistan, the Bangalee nation was subjected to oppression and subjugation all the time, and deprived of its rights. The nation was about to lose its right to speak in the
Regional cooperation the key I always refer to poverty as the main enemy of this region. A large number of people of Bangladesh and India sufer from malnutrition. They are deprived of their basic needs. Lack of nutrition is impeding the growth of a huge number of children. They don’t have proper medicare and schooling. We have to change this scenario. We have the ability. The only thing we need is to change our mentality. I think eradication of poverty should be the irst and foremost priority of our political leaders. And, in today’s globalised world, it is diicult to do something in isolation. Rather, collaboration and cooperation can make many things easier. That is why I always put emphasis on regional cooperation and improved connectivity. I believe in peace. Only peaceful co-existence can ensure peace. There are some issues between us. But I believe that any problem can be resolved in a peaceful manner. We have demonstrated our willpower through the implementation of the Land Boundary Agreement. There are some more issues like sharing of waters of the common rivers (the Teesta issue is currently under discussion) that need to be resolved. I’m an optimistic person. I would like to rest my trust on the goodwill of the great people and the leaders of our neighbour. I know resources are scarce, but we can share those for the beneit of the people of both countries. We
share the same culture and heritage. There are a lot of commonalities (at least with West Bengal). We share our Lalon, Rabindranath, Kazi Nazrul, Jibanananda; there is similarity in our language, we are nourished by the waters of the Padma, Brahmaputra, Teesta; and so on. The Sundarbans is our common pride. We don’t have any strife over it. Then, why should there be any contention over the waters of common rivers? Our foreign policy’s core dictum is: ‘Friendship to all, malice to none.’ The Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, deined the policy. We are also inspired from his words: “The very struggle of Bangladesh symbolised the universal struggle for peace and justice. It was, therefore, only natural that Bangladesh, from its very inception, should stand irmly by the side of the oppressed people of the world.” At international forums, we support all international eforts towards building a just and peaceful world. In recent years, especially after 2009, when my party assumed ofice, cooperation between Bangladesh and India has been bolstered manifold. Rail, road, and waterway connectivity boosted. Trade, commerce and investment maximised. People-to-people contact also got momentum. Such mutual cooperation is deinitely beneitting our people. Relations, at a personal or national level, largely depend on give-and-take measures. Mexican Nobel Laureate Octavio said ‘Friendship is a river’. I think that the friendship between Bangladesh and India is like a lowing river and full with generosity. This is the spirit of the people of the two neighbours. I think if our commitments are honest, we would be able to achieve many things that are beneicial to our people. On the eve of my four-day visit to India, I myself, and on behalf of my countrymen, would like to convey the heartiest greetings to the people of India. I hope that the cooperative relations between Bangladesh and India would reach a new height through my visit. Sheikh Hasina is the Prime Minister of Bangladesh
Experience has never shackled Roger Federer, explaining his success at the grand old age of 35
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Two steps back A ive-year period is too short for the development of any country. We couldn’t win the election of 2001. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party-Jamaat-e-Islami assumed state power and destroyed all our achievements. Again, the country’s progress sufered a setback. Militancy, terrorism, corruption and misrule made people’s life miserable. The country became champions in the corruption index ive times. The minority community became victims of torture. The country’s socio-economic development had been stalled. The Awami League leaders and workers became targets of persecution. Bangladesh once again fell under emergency rule. We demanded restoration of democracy. We faced jail, torture and false cases. But inally, people triumphed. The national election was held after seven years in 2008. Winning the election, we formed the government. We started implementation of a Five Year Plan and 10-yearlong Poverty Reduction Strategy Plan. We have been working to turn Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed one by 2041. The people of
Bangladesh started getting the beneit of it. Bangladesh is marching ahead. We earned over 7.1% GDP growth. Inlation is contained within 5.28% and the poverty rate has been reduced to 22%. At this moment, on many socio-economic indicators, Bangladesh’s standing is better than many other South Asian nations whereas a few years ago our position was at the bottom. But we still have a long way to go to ensure prosperity of the people. And we are working towards that end. My objective is to fulil the dream of Bangabandhu through building a hunger- and povertyfree Golden Bangladesh being imbued with the spirit of the War of Liberation.
Why a Federer is forever
A man has been murdered by cow vigilantes. The murderers must be brought to book he death of a man from injuries at the hands of “cow protection” vigilantes in Rajasthan’s Alwar district rightly animated Parliament. The details of the violence inlicted by a mob on Saturday are chilling and vividly caught on mobile phone video, and demand an assurance from the government that justice will be done. It is unfortunate that as the opposition raised the issue, the response from the treasury benches was anything but satisfactory. In fact, coupled with comments from spokespersons of the BJP and even the Rajasthan Home Minister, the message from the authorities indicates that an outrageous equivalence is being sought to be made between the lynch mob’s actions and the victims’ alleged — simply “alleged” — actions. The facts are these. Pehlu Khan, the deceased, and four others were on their way back to Haryana after buying cattle in Jaipur. A mob set itself upon them in Behror on the Jaipur-Delhi National Highway. The violence was explained as an attempt to prevent the “illegal” transportation of cattle. Instead of condemning the violence and stating that nobody has the right to attack individuals no matter what they may and may not have been doing, all that has emanated from ministers at the Centre and in Rajasthan is evasive prevarication. State Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said no one had the right to take the law into his own hands, but added it was “all right” that those illegally moving cattle were nabbed. In the Rajya Sabha, Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi implied that no incident of such cow vigilantism had occurred. Over the last three years, governments in diferent States, most of them ruled by the BJP, have tightened existing laws against cow slaughter. It is no accident that the period has been attended by an aggressive vigilantism. From the killing of a man in Dadri in Uttar Pradesh in 2015 on suspicion that he had beef in his possession, to the logging of a group of Dalit men who were skinning a dead cow in Una in Gujarat last year, cow vigilantes, in the guise of being gau rakshaks, have created an atmosphere of fear. It is disturbing that legislative initiatives and mob violence have been moving in step. It is also true that while distancing organisations of the Sangh Parivar from the incidents, individuals ailiated to these organisations, including the BJP, have played down the instances of violence by focussing on how the alleged crimes had ofended believers. And in this constant din of pledging support to the larger efort to protect the cow, there is little oicial deliberation on the actual implementation of anti-cow slaughter laws, let alone a recognition of the incentives these laws create for the illegal movement of animals across jurisdictions. By failing to condemn lynch mobs for murder and bring vigilantes to book, the government only diminishes Indian democracy.
In Bangabandhu’s foosteps On my return, I started a movement for the restoration of people’s basic rights and democracy. We formed the government in 1996 after 21 years. I got the op-
portunity to work for the people. I devoted myself to the task of welfare of my countrymen not as a ruler but as a servant. My father got the opportunity to build the warravaged country for only three and a half years. And I got the chance to serve the people after 21 years. During that time, the people of Bangladesh realised that the objective of a government is to accomplish the task of people’s welfare. We signed the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Treaty ending the two-decade-long conlict. We brought back 62,000 refugees from India and rehabilitated them in the country. We signed the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty with India. The country’s image brightened in the outside world.
N. Sudarshan Father Time has left nobody untouched. Not Sachin Tendulkar, not Leander Paes, not Viswanathan Anand. The mind wants to continue, but the body doesn’t follow. When the body shows signs of pulling itself together, the mind is all over the place. It magniies every loss and hurtles one towards the inish. As the legendary John McEnroe wrote in his memoir Serious, “It’s never possible to be prepared when the future takes over from the past.” In the last three months, however, a certain Roger Federer has seemingly deied all such hypotheses. At the grand old age of 35,
popularly called the daddy of the tour, for he always travels with his wife and four kids in tow, Federer won a Grand Slam title at this year’s Australian Open after a gap of nearly ive years. The 18th Major has now been backed up with the Indian Wells-Miami Masters double — a feat which he last accomplished at his peak in 2006 — and a return to the top ive in the ATP rankings. Following an injury-hit 2016, those who still kept faith in Federer have no doubt tasted salvation now. But elite sport is much more than that. Fandom in sport is selish and rarely leaves space for the struggling team or athlete because people always want happy memories. There is an enormous diference between how an elite champion sees himself beyond a certain point and how his supporters see him. If anything, Federer’s achievements — the successes of the last three months, and dispiriting losses
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Escalating tension China knows well that the Dalai Lama is a spiritual leader who has visited Arunachal Pradesh several times in the past. So why is it protesting now (“Ties severely damaged, says China”, April 6)? China must learn to respect the sovereignty of India by strengthening ties instead of needlessly poking its nose in India’s internal afairs and issuing damaging statements which will only escalate tension in the border areas, serving nobody’s interest in the long run. K.R. Srinivasan, Secunderabad
Farm loan waiver The United Progressive Alliance government’s loan waiver scheme of 2008 helped it retain power in 2009 (“In largesse we trust”, April 6). Since then, political parties have dangled the carrot of farm loan waivers to woo voters.
as much for the player himself. Perhaps the reason why he has been so successful for so long is that he can still not win certain things and yet consider the process itself as a triumph.
The Zen of detachment
AFP
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he central bank was not expected to tinker with key policy rates in its irst monetary policy review of 2017-18 unveiled on Thursday, following its decision to shift from an accommodative to a neutral monetary policy stance in February. The Monetary Policy Committee chaired by Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel has, in fact, decided to raise the rate at which the central bank borrows funds from banks (the reverse repo rate) by 25 basis points, from 5.75% to 6%, while leaving other policy rates untouched. This marginal change is aimed at sucking out from the system excess liquidity that remains a lingering concern, despite coming of its peak in the aftermath of the demonetisation exercise. The RBI has also proposed a new liquidity management tool that awaits government approval, making the draining of surplus liquidity a critical priority all through this year. The eicacy of the RBI’s liquidity management toolkit will impinge on another key concern: inlation, which is expected to climb to 5% by the second half of this iscal. The RBI says achieving the stated target of 4% inlation even next year could be challenging, with no “lucky disinlationary forces” expected, such as benign commodity and oil prices. It has also pointed to a one-time upside risk to inlation with the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax. The RBI is quite optimistic about an uptick in the economy this year, projecting 7.4% growth in Gross ValueAdded, compared to 6.7% in 2016-17. Along with improved prospects for the world economy a rebound in discretionary consumer spending at home is likely, in line with the “pace of remonetisation” and investment demand on account of lowered interest rates. While the government may take heart from the higher growth projection, it must pay equal heed to Mr. Patel’s plainspeak on four key issues. First, the need to urgently resolve the surge of bad loans on bank books, for which the RBI will unveil a new Prompt Corrective Action framework by the middle of this month. Without this, a virtuous cycle of healthy credit growth necessary for investment and job creation will remain elusive. Second, the RBI has reminded the government there will be “clearly more demand for capital” in the coming days. The government’s allocation of ₹10,000 crore to recapitalise public sector banks is obviously inadequate. Third, while banks have reduced lending rates, the RBI has pointed out there is room for more cuts if rates on small savings schemes are corrected. Though a formula-based rate was adopted to set these rates last April, small savings schemes still deliver 61-95 basis points higher returns than what they should if the formula is followed, as per the RBI. Most important, the government must not ignore Mr. Patel’s categorical call to eschew loan waivers of the kind just announced in Uttar Pradesh. This, he warned, would crowd out private investments and dent the nation’s balance sheet.
mother tongue. It was unthinkable to the military rulers that the Bangalee nation would ascend to state power and that was why they imposed the uneven war on Bangalees. With the people’s mandate, the Father of the Nation declared the independence of Bangladesh and directed the people to carry on the war of liberation. Responding to his call, the people of Bangladesh took arms and the liberation war began. The Pakistani rulers and their local collaborators engaged in committing genocide, rape, looting, arson and attacked the innocent people of Bangladesh. The world woke up. People and the Government of India stood beside the oppressed humanity. They gave food and shelter to nearly 10 million refugees of Bangladesh. They extended all-out cooperation in our great liberation war and played an important role in creating global opinion in favour of Bangladesh. This helped us to earn victory and the country was freed from enemy occupation. We are grateful to the friendly people of India. The Indian government had played an important role even in getting Bangabandhu released from the Pakistani prison. Shrimati Indira Gandhi had played the leading role in earning our independence, freedom of Bangabandhu and bringing him back to his beloved people. We got her government, political parties and above all the people of India beside us during our hard times. The killers brutally assassinated the Father of the Nation on August 15, 1975. I lost 18 of my family members, including my mother, three brothers and sister-in-laws. I, along with my younger sister Rehana, survived as we were abroad. In our bad days, India again stood beside us. I could not come back home for six long years. The Bangladesh Awami League elected me its president in my absence. I returned home with the support of the people.
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If our commitments are honest, India and Bangladesh can achieve many things that are beneicial to our people
in the four and a half years prior to that — reveal this sporting dynamic in all its glory. The last time Federer had a similarly gratifying run was in 2015, when he inished runner-up at Wimbledon, U.S. Open, ATP World Tour Finals and won the Cincinnati Masters. It, however, didn’t elicit a response similar to the one we see now primarily because things are too result-oriented for fans but not
In late 2015, Federer was in fact asked how he has been able to manage such a long career. “A change is how you manage your experience,” he said. “Because experience can be a very good thing, but sometimes it can also be a hindrance. You’re not playing as freely, you’re playing the percentages too much. It becomes too calculated. I have to remind myself to play like a junior sometimes.” Play like a junior is what Federer has done this year. That he has bested his nemesis Rafael Nadal en route to each of his three titles lends a degree of immortality unseen in recent times — though to be fair, Fe-
derer still doesn’t own Nadal the way the Spaniard has owned Federer. Then again, the great perspective he has will tell him that this phase will not last forever. The World No.1 ranking may still come to him, but he has already made it clear that it’s not something he wants to grind himself towards. During Wimbledon 2016, while previewing Federer’s semi-inal against Canada’s Milos Raonic — which he eventually lost in ive sets — Paul Annacone, the celebrated former coach of Pete Sampras and one who coached Federer to the 2012 Wimbledon title and to the No. 1 spot, told Sports Illustrated that he had never been around a player who did a better job of “kind of detaching from any wasted energy”. The ringing endorsement of the same is 2017 thus far.
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There are existing provisions to help farmers who are not able to repay loans for reasons that are beyond their control (natural disasters or an unexpected crash in market prices). Relief could include rescheduling of repayment instalments, converting accumulated interests into long-term loans to be paid after a holiday period, reduction in interest rates, and so on. Loan write-ofs could be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the protected nature of the distress. An across-the-board loan waiver does not make any distinction between farmers who have not been afected in any way and those who face agrarian distress owing to various reasons. However, it is unfair to blame the political class alone for resorting to iscal adventurism to capture or retain power. The voters seem to be easily enticed by promises of loan waivers
V.N. Mukundarajan,
market chain. The farm economy needs to be strengthened. We must empower farmers to claim their remuneration instead of letting the middlemen and cartels rob them of the price of their eforts. Loan waivers are only momentary relief; hence, an eicient long-term agricultural policy is to be framed to stop this vicious cycle of debt and distress across India.
Thiruvananthapuram
Salini Johnson,
without considering the fact that the beneiciaries will have to share the burden of the waiver money along with the larger society in one form or another. The simple yet unacknowledged fact is that money for the waiver has to come from somewhere. In the long term, loan write-ofs will come to bite all of us in one way or another in the form of unforeseen costs.
New Delhi
Farm loan waivers have become sops that populist politicians misuse with no regard for the welfare of farmers and the development of agriculture. Uttar Pradesh, which is the largest contributor to India’s agricultural output, deserves better in terms of follow-up policies enabling greater infrastructure investment, better technology, crop insurance systems, and plugging leakages in the ield-to-
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While larger plans to improve the farm sector are welcome, the loan waiver scheme of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh and the order of the Madras High Court directing the Tamil Nadu government to extend a similar farm loan waiver scheme for small farmers can’t be dismissed as an ominous trend for a country that could face a Malthusian nightmare in the future. With the country’s
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population projected to increase, with the continuing loss of huge swathes of farmland to industry and real estate, and with the massive displacement of farm labour, could India slide back into the dark days when it imported wheat under PL-480 from the U.S.? There is widespread concern that the exchequer has lost trillions of rupees in nearly a decade in distributing tax largesse to industry, besides trillions in non-performing assets with the public sector banks, created largely by the rich and famous. Any farm loan waiver across the country will be chicken feed in comparison. Kangayam R. Narasimhan, Chennai
another example of the indomitable spirit of India’s defence services (“CRPF oicer bounces back after 9 bullets, 16 days in coma”, April 6). On-ield battles seem easier compared to life battles in intensive care units. And the brave oicer has shown that he was equally prepared for both. The team of doctors that took care of Mr. Cheeta during this critical time also deserves appreciation. However, the one thing that struck me was Mr. Cheeta’s wife Uma Singh’s wish to see her husband again in uniform. This is the highest level of one’s devotion to duty. A cheetah is the fastest cat in the wild. The brave oicer has shown that he carries no less of that attitude when it comes to guarding his own nation.
Miraculous recovery
Kiran Babasaheb Ransing,
Central Reserve Police Force oicer Chetan Cheeta’s miraculous recovery after being struck by nine bullets is yet
New Delhi
more letters online: www.hindu.com/opinion/letters/
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THE HINDU
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LEFT, RIGHT, CENTRE
Is there racism in India? The Indian government must acknowledge there is deep-rooted prejudice
Samuel Jack is president of the Association of African Students in India
In India, racism is practised in some quarters and by some Indians. LEFT This is evident in the manner in which we are treated when we seek extension for our visas, in the problems we face in getting accommodation in the country, and in the general treatment of viewing us with suspicion. The prejudice and stereotypes are all too apparent. When we seek accommodation, most landlords come out with an emphatic ‘no’ without offering any explanation. We are left with little choice and make do with what we get. We are
faced with a situation where we cannot even communicate with our neighbours in case of an emergency. How do we talk with each other with so many stigmas attached to us? How do we even begin to counter the prejudices?
Bias linked to caste system To an outsider like myself, when I begin to process this blatantly discriminatory attitude, I find that this racism is linked to the prevalent caste system which is very hierarchical. Black people, Dalits and untouchables somehow seem to be linked to this caste system which is
What we are witnessing is the conlict of cultures which is a law and order problem, not racism
Rakesh Sinha teaches political science at Delhi University and is president of the RSS-ailiated India Policy Foundation
Some sporadic incidents cannot, and should not, lead one to any society as RIGHT brand racist. Of course, one cannot deny that there has been some violence against people of African origin in some parts of the country. But a majority of these incidents have not been motivated by the colour of the nationalities involved. The reasons are sex, drug trafficking and behaviorial patterns which unsettle the structured values cherished by locals. A society’s multiculturalism depends on the blending of empathy and reason.
Chances of conflicts are higher when empathy and reason diminish. What we are witnessing is the conflict of cultures which is a law and order problem, not racism.
The case of Western societies Racism is a negative value of life which is not a part of the Indian psyche. That said, no society or nation can claim to have achieved a completely ideal stage where its citizens are on their best behaviour. Whether a society is racist or becoming racist can be judged only by the collective consciousness of larger masses. Unprovoked incidents
Early education is an important ield for providing the basis for independent and critical thought
Sanjay Srivastava is professor of sociology at the Institute of Economic Growth
The remarkable 1952 novel Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison is about experience of beCENTRE the ing black in the U.S. Its opening paragraph has the following lines: “I am a man of substance, of flesh and bone, fiber and liquids — and I might even be said to possess a mind. I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me”. The novel’s protagonist goes on to say that “the invisibility to which I refer occurs because of a peculiar disposition of the eyes of those with
who I come in contact”. What is the peculiarity of the Indian eye that makes blackness such an invisible – that is, insignificant – thing as to take an axe to it when it seeks normal, human visibility, expressing the same desires and anxieties as those who think of themselves if not as completely white then at least something like possessing whiteness?
Confront the ‘messy’ present We could, for a start, begin with history. There are, by now, a number of books and exhibitions about an
discriminatory and excludes people. Indian kids smoke in public places. Yet when we smoke, we are always supposedly smoking marijuana or weed, when there are many Indians who smoke the same. How can Africans playing loud music be an excuse to beat them up and complain to the police when Indians do the same? I am not saying black people don’t smoke weed or don’t do drugs but isn’t that true of others too? So, why single us out? Why do people here become aggressive when they see us on the streets? Students from the Northeast face the same problems like us.
Is Punjab’s drug problem because of us? The State is reeling under a drug crisis affecting many young men. In Goa, the drug problem is largely due to Europeans and Russians who, along with local leaders, peddle drugs, but will India discriminate against them? They give some donations to NGOs and nobody dares speak against them. The Class XII student who passed away in Greater Noida recently unfortunately died of a drug overdose. He was an addict. You will be amazed to see what Indian school children are smoking. Unfortunately, Africa becomes a binary for
against Indians or Asian nationals in the form of violent attacks in Canada, the U.S., Australia, New Zealand tell us that all is not well with the melting pot of Western societies either. The notion of the Other is historically rooted in the Western civilisation trajectory which erupts whenever societies face an economic or political crisis. While the notion of egalitarianism rests easily with elites there, this feeling does not find resonance with the masses. There is a huge disconnect between academic discourse on egalitarianism and social realities.
India’s history and the psychology of its masses have remained unchanged for as long as one can remember. During the anti-colonial movement, leaders of the freedom movement wisely secularised the struggle against colonial forces. Indians had no problem when two westerners, George Yule (1888) and William Wedderburn (1889) became presidents of the Indian National Congress (INC). Acceptance is the norm in Indian society. There is an interesting observation in the 1911 Census report that Indians had no problems stating their religion. However, what mattered to most surveyed
Indian past that was apparently far more tolerant of blackness. Historians speak of an easy intermingling between Indians and people of African origin, with Indian noblewomen taking African men as lovers, and slaves being raised to the status of rulers. But to invoke history is to only add to the problem of Ellison’s protagonist’s invisibility in the Indian present. History is easy. It is the present that is messy. A certain kind of, albeit well-meaning, history has convinced us that we were, in fact, good and tolerant in the past and hence that goodness must
lie somewhere submerged among us, only needing minor prodding to emerge as joyful guiding light of the present. Indians love history because it allows an exit route to not having to deal with the present. To the extent that 20th century racism has been addressed in the West, it is not through constant references to the Black Madonna in Christian iconography and Shakespeare’s Othello in literature. No. It has been done through addressing the root causes and reasons for intolerance in the present. We in India refuse to deal with
most Indians. The impression is that we hail from a backward continent, which is simply not true. Some African countries have better human development indicators than India and have a robust democracy. Indians went as indentured labour to the African continent and elsewhere. If that is an acknowledged fact, how do Indians reconcile with their racist attitude towards us? If Indians went as indentured labour and Africans were treated like slaves, isn’t there a common history of discrimination that binds the two?
The wrong colour? Right from when we land here, our colour becomes an excuse for Indians to display all their prejudices. was social status. Historically, India has welcomed people of different races and creeds. The INC participated in the anti-apartheid conference in 1927 in Brussels.
We are one family It is this credo of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the whole universe is one family) which led Indians to embrace victims of religious or racist persecutions. In 1931, as the Census data revealed, there were 24,000 Jews and 109,754 Parsis in India. They played a significant role in our freedom movement and in economic activities that shaped India. In the first session of the INC, there were nine Parsi delegates, and two each from the Muslim and Christian communities, of a total of our present because history is such everlasting comfort.
Strategies for the present What of the present, then? We could begin with school education. This crucial realm is one where ideas of the false basis of race and racism are almost never touched upon. While it is more difficult to influence attitudes in the domestic sphere, early education is an important field for providing the basis for independent and critical thought. But our social science school books continue to deal with ‘tribes’ – a category that flows on to blackness in general – in terms of their proximity to ‘civilisation’. The term itself – its bloody history, for
An extension of our visas which should not take more than seven days takes at least three months for us. Police verification becomes an excuse for extortion. Policemen keep calling at odd hours. We are deeply disappointed and hurt that the Government of India has not condemned the attacks against us. The government must say this is wrong and that it will deal with it in an appropriate manner. The government has to acknowledge there is a deep-rooted prejudice first. It is only after you acknowledge the problem that you can address it. But the Government of India appears to be in denial. Due to the hostility of some Indians, the number of African students coming to study in India may come down.
72. Their representation kept swelling in successive Congress sessions. Moreover, there has been consensus for Anglo-Indian representation in Parliament. The fundamental rationale underpinning this has been one of cherishing diversities. However, in India there have been clashes between Dalits and upper castes and some violent incidents against students from the Northeast. But drawing a parallel with racism would not be correct. Racism is based on hatred which makes conciliation between people of different groups virtually impossible. Spiritual democracy is the basis of our secularism and our multiculturalism negates perpetuation of conflicts. These have little to do with race.
example – is hardly ever examined. We are willing to put up with the ‘uncivilised’ as long as they know their place. We might also consider another strategy for the present. Our cities are now places where we increasingly have declining tolerance for strangers. We primarily extend courtesies to those we know, and exhibit hostility to those outside our circles of familiarity. Do we not need an education on how to live with strangers? Accounts of the past – fascinating and important in themselves – are about the past. The past is, actually, another planet and cannot be a guide to what is to be done now. As told to Anuradha Raman
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Raging against insanity
FIFTY YEARS AGO APRIL 7, 1967
Punjab Ministry refuses to quit
Will a UN treaty to ban atomic weapons be another exercise in futility?
The Punjab Vidhan Sabha adjourned sine die to-day [April 6, Chandigarh] on a motion by the Chief Minister, Mr. Gurnam Singh, after unprecedented disorderly scenes and pandemonium. The Upper House, the Vidhan Parishad, was also adjourned in similar circumstances. There were deafening shouts and counter-shouts, loud thumping of desks, gesticulations by members. The Speaker first adjourned for half an hour and after reassembly, amidst shouts of “No, no” from the Opposition, the Speaker declared the motion to adjourn the Assembly carried.
GARIMELLA SUBRAMANIAM
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A majority of nations, nuclear havenots, now negotiating a historic United Nations treaty in New York to ban atomic weapons, are demonstrating unprecedented moral leadership on a question that continues to threaten human survival. Predictably, the nine countries that currently possess these catastrophic arms, as well as others that are part of the military blocs that some of them lead, are boycotting the talks that commenced last week. Even so, the latter group can do little to prevent an agreement whose modest aim is the codiication of the essential illegality of this last remaining category of weapons of mass destruction, even if their complete elimination is likely to prove more elusive.
ARCHIVES
Focus on humanitarian consequences A major game changer in the decades-long global debate on nuclear disarmament appears to be the greater emphasis being placed on the humanitarian consequences of the testing and detonation of nuclear weapons. This new focus has rightly shifted attention away from the conventional narrative of protection of national sovereignty and security, one that legitimised an arms race among nuclear weapons states, inducing potential aspirants to nurture superpower ambitions. Current endeavours towards a comprehensive pact are a result of many building blocks towards total abolition, beginning with the 1996 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice which ruled that the use of nuclear weapons had to be compatible with humanitarian law. Yet, in a split verdict, the judges ruled that it could not pronounce deinitively on the legality or otherwise of their use in circumstances of extreme self-defence. The landmark outcome was seized upon by many governments and activist groups to lobby the UN with innumerable draft conventions and resolutions in the General Assembly calling for complete prohibition. Notable have been the three conferences on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons — the last one in Vienna drew participation from over 150 nations and the UN. Ever since, the idea that targeting populated areas with nuclear weapons would constitute a violation of humanitarian law has gained traction. Further, several resolutions of the UN General Assembly have airmed that the use of nuclear weapons constitutes a crime against humanity. Another rationale underpinning current eforts is also the need to address the prevailing anomaly on the road to the prohibition of all types of weapons of mass destruction. That task began with the ban on biological arms in 1975. Chemical weapons, anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions have been outlawed in more recent years. The next round of the UN talks, scheduled in late June, will grapple with practical issues of deining the scope and reach of the treaty, as well as the number of ratiications required for its entry into force. What is certain however is that once the pact becomes law, the growing stigma attached to nuclear weapons, as well as to states that lex their military muscle, will only further deepen. CM YK
A HUNDRED YEARS AGO APRIL 7, 1917
Russian Revolution: Funeral of victims
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CONCEPTUAL
ACT ONE
Discourse analysis
Suicide isn’t a criminal act
Linguistics
The Supreme Court’s views on suicide over the years
Often defined as the analysis of language beyond the sentence, it is the study of the ways in which language is used in texts and contexts. This contrasts with types of analysis more typical of modern linguistics, such as those concerned with the study of grammar: phonetics and phonology, morphology, semantics, and syntax. Discourse analysts study larger chunks of language as they flow together. Foucauldian discourse analysis, based on the theories of Michel Foucault, for example, focusses on power relationships in society as expressed through language and practices.
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Inside Lucknow Metro’s tunnels http://bit.ly/LucknowMetro
Krishnadas Rajagopal
Twenty-three years ago, Justice B.L. Hansaria of the Supreme Court described the plight of a rape victim forced to stand trial for the “crime” of attempt to suicide. In his judgment in P. Rathinam v. Union of India (1994), the judge described the trial in one word: “persecution”. In a passionate appeal, Justice Hansaria asked: “Why persecute the already tormented woman? Have we become soulless? What is required is to reach the soul to stir it to make it cease to be cruel. Let us humanise our laws. It is never late to do so.” It has taken Parliament over two decades since to pass the new Mental Healthcare Bill. The Lok Sabha, late last month, passed the Bill which decriminalises a failed suicide. The Bill presumes that the person wilted under severe stress and attempted suicide. In-
stead of punishing him/ her under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code (attempt to suicide) with an open trial, a fine (even though in most cases a token amount) or imprisonment extending to a year, the new Bill reinvents the state in the role of a caregiver to the survivor of the suicide attempt. The goal is to prevent the person from trying the act again. One clause in the new Bill says the government “shall, in particular, plan, design and implement public health programmes to reduce suicides and attempted suicides.” In 1985, Justice R.A. Jahagirdar of the Bombay High Court gave four reasons why Section 309 was unconstitutional: Nobody agrees on what constitutes suicide, much less attempted suicide; mens rea is not clearly discernible; temporary insanity, which drives suicide, is a valid defence even in homicides; individuals driven
to suicide require psychiatric care. The Law Commission of India called Section 309 “monstrous”. Criminalisation of suicide was not in tune with the global wavelength, the Supreme Court once said. Unlike the Supreme Court’s Constitution Bench which concluded in the Gian Kaur case that the right to life does not include the right to die, international case laws tolerate even euthanasia. In McKay v. Bergstedt (1990), the Supreme Court of Nevada took the view that the desire of a patient for withdrawal of his respirator did not tantamount to suicide but was rather an exercise of his constitutional and common law right to “discontinue unwanted medical treatment”. However, the new Bill does not define suicide. Differences among suicide researchers as to what constitutes suicide remain.
The national funeral of one hundred and eighty victims of the revolution has taken place in the presence of a million civilians and soldiers (Petrograd, April 6). Factories, shops, schools and other establishments were closed. The bodies were buried at the four corners of quadrangular space in the centre of the snow covered Marsovoepale square. Six huge processions started from different parts of the town in the morning carrying zinc coffins covered with red flags. The crowds sang the hymn “Eternal memory” alternating with the revolutionary march “You fell as victims” and the bands played the Marseillaise. The guns of the fortress of St Peter and St Paul marked the lowering of every coffin into the trench.
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THE HINDU
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SC proposes joint trial in Babri cases Appearing for CBI, Additional Solicitor General Neeraj Kishan Kaul submitted that the charge of an overarching conspiracy leading to the demolition had never died. In February 2001, the Allahabad HC had itself confirmed there was prima facie evidence of conspiracy. This order was never appealed against. Asked by the Bench about the practical difficulties of a joint trial in Lucknow, Mr. Kaul said the trial may have to start “de novo [afresh].” But senior advocate Kapil
Sibal arguing for a petitioner, Haji Mehboob Ahmad, said a joint trial would require only the granting of the right to an accused to recall and crossexamine witnesses. It does not require framing of charges all over again, he added. Objecting to the court’s proposal to transfer the Raebareli case to Lucknow, senior advocate K.K. Venugopal, appearing for Mr. Advani and Dr. Joshi, said the Supreme Court cannot use its powers under Article 142 to disrupt an ongoing trial in Raebareli.
Gaikwad regrets Air India incident “I am vinamr [humble and courteous] by nature,” said Mr. Gaikwad. An official, when he asked for his identity, had told him that he was “Air India ka baap” [Air India’s father] and taunted him, asking “Are you Narendra Modi?” Mr. Gaikwad claimed he only pushed an official, and that too after he himself was pushed around. Minister for Aviation, Ashok Gajapati Raju, said there was now a case pertaining to the issue, which would take its own course. He reminded the MP that he was also just a passenger. “An aircraft is a machine to fly people. Safety is important. Safety cannot be compromised.” This comment did not go down well with the Shiv Sena MPs. They quickly surrounded Mr. Raju, not allow-
ing him to leave the House. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House and called all the parties concerned to her chambers. The Sena then held a press conference and threatened to boycott an NDA meeting on Monday. Party leader Sanjay Raut wondered if the CMD of Air India was qualified to ban an MP from flying. By evening the Sena MPs realised that they had managed to offend their NDA partner TDP, with whom they had had fairly cordial ties thus far. After a second meeting between Ms. Mahajan and Mr. Raju late in the evening, the Sena despatched its letter of regret to the TDP’s parliamentary office and its legislative party leader, Minister of State for S&T Y.S. Chowdhary.
Alwar killing sparks war of words Expressing concern over the incident, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said five dairy farmers had bought the cows for ₹ 75,000 and were ferrying them when their vehicle was intercepted by vigilantes in Alwar. He said they were attacked by 200 people, but only four of these had been arrested so far. Mr. Kharge quoted the State Home Minister as saying that the villagers had got information that cows were being smuggled and while there was nothing wrong in
people stopping cow smuggling, they should not take law into their own hands. Amid interruptions by some BJP members, Mr. Kharge said this was the fifth such incident in Rajasthan, while three were reported in Uttar Pradesh and two each in Gujarat and Haryana. He also named two Hindu organisations, to which Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar raised objection. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had by then ordered that the names be expunged.
TRAI asks Reliance Jio to withdraw ofer Subscribers who bought the ₹99 Prime membership with a plan of ₹303 or higher are entitled to get free services for three months from April 15. Customers who have subscribed to the offer prior to its discontinuation will remain eligible for the concession. Jio, through its free offers since September 5, 2016, has notched up more than 100 million subscribers, of which 72 million were willing to pay for Jio services as of March 31, opting for ‘Prime’ membership. Existing operators had earlier criticised the regulator for being a “mute spectator” to the alleged violations. On January 31, TRAI had held that Jio’s free voice calling and data plan were
not in violation of the regulatory guidelines. The arrival of Reliance Jio was followed by a consolidation in the industry, even as it spurred a fall in profits for rivals. In March, Idea Cellular merged with the Indian unit of Vodafone Plc, making the entity a $23 billion giant and India’s largest mobile telephony and data service provider. In February, Bharti Airtel bought the assets of Telenor ASA’s India unit while in September last year the Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications decided to merge with Aircel. Bharti Airtel’s profits for the quarter ended December 2016 fell to ₹422 crore from ₹1,709 crore in December 2015.
RBI chief hits out at farm loan waiver “It also entails, at the end of the day, transfer from tax payers to borrowers,” Mr. Patel pointed out. “If on account of this, the overall government borrowing goes up, yields on government bonds are also impacted. It can also lead to crowding out of private borrowers as higher government borrowing can lead to an increase in cost of borrowing for others.” The RBI Governor’s observations assume considerable significance coming as they did in the wake of the CM YK
newly formed BJP government in Uttar Pradesh announcing farm loan waivers in line with its poll promise. Uttar Pradesh ranks third in terms of agricultural credit exposure. The State has a 9.3% market share in agricultural credit. About 45% of its total exposure is in the rural areas. Bank of Baroda is the leading bank at the State level. Bankers, too, have opposed the move as they felt that such schemes distort the credit culture.
RS also clears 4 GST Bills It is the only tax levied by both the Centre and the States, said Finance Minister Special Correspondent NEW DELHI
The Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed four Bills essential for the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax, the deadline for which is July 1. The Lok Sabha had passed these Bills on March 29. One more piece of legislation, the State GST Bill, will have to be passed by the legislative assemblies of States and Union Territories with legislature. The passage of the Central GST Bill, Integrated GST Bill, GST Compensation Bill, and the Union Territory GST Bills followed a two-day debate in the Rajya Sabha.
Several objections Opposition leaders raised several objections to the Bills, many of which were similar to those raised in the Lok Sabha. These included disempowerment of Parliament in setting tax rates and the reason behind several
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley speaks in the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi on Thursday. PTI/TV GRAB *
tax rates. “The GST is the collective property of the country in which States, political parties and successive governments have taken part,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in his statement. “It is the only tax levied by both the Centre and the
States. The fact of the matter is that with the advantages of GST and the resultant freeflow of goods and services across the country, a lot of conveniences will come in. The GST Council will have the power to make suggestions regarding the rate under the GST,” Mr. Jaitley ad-
ded. “But the plenary power will remain with Parliament. We can of course ask the Council to reconsider its suggestion.” The Finance Minister, however, pointed out the importance of consensus when it comes to the suggestions of the GST Council. “We all have to be guided by the federal concern,” the Minister said. “Unilateral parties cannot derail the process.” Last month, while speaking in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Jaitley had said that the consequences of not acting on the GST Council’s recommendations would render the implementation of GST very difficult if not impossible. The Finance Minister, during his speech in the Upper House on Thursday, also explained the need for multiple rates in the GST structure since luxury items and items of public good and necessities cannot be taxed under the same rate.
Violence by cow vigilantes triggers widespread outrage Three arrested remanded in one-day police custody; not named in initial FIR Special Correspondent JAIPUR
Amid outrage over the killing of a man allegedly by ‘gau rakshaks’ in the Alwar district, civil rights groups here have demanded action against policemen. The opposition Congress raised an alarm over threat to the rule of law, while accusing the BJP government of supporting and sponsoring violence. The three persons arrested on Wednesday night in connection with the death of Pehlu Khan, 55, were not among the six accused named in the initial FIR registered at the Behror police station. The police arrested Vipin Yadav, president of the Alwar Government College Students’ Union, Ravindra Yadav and Kalu Ram Yadav, after identifying them from the video footage of Saturday’s violence, which was circulated on social media. The three were produced in a court on Thursday,
‘This is Modi’s new vision’ Press Trust of India NEW DELHI
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS for the Alwar attack, saying there is no place in the country for those disagreeing with them and that tragedies of huge proportion occur when governwhich remanded them in police custody for a day. They have been booked under Section 302 (murder) and other provisions for unlawful assembly, voluntarily causing hurt, attempt to commit culpable homicide and theft under the Indian Penal Code.
Blatant lie: Sachin Pilot Rajasthan Pradesh Congress president Sachin Pilot expressed outrage over Union Minister of State Mukhtar
ment “abdicates responsibility.” He said the Prime Minister was propagating a vision where only one idea would prevail. “...anybody who does not listen to or agree with Narendra Modi or RSS has no place in India. That’s the vision,” Mr. Gandhi told reporters outside Parliament. Abbas Naqvi’s remarks in the Rajya Sabha that no such incident took place. He asked how the government could lie “so blatantly and that too in Parliament”. Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot asked the State government to restrain such groups operating in a “brazen manner”. Seeking compensation for the victims, the PUCL demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits.
3 detained in Assam Two persons, including a minor, were apprehended and booked under the Assam Cattle Preservation Act, 1950 in Jorhat for buying beef, the police said. Citing the presence of a temple nearby, local residents filed a complaint when the labourers of Bangladeshi origin bought beef. PTI
Surcharge to ‘save’ cow Those readying rent agreements, mortgage papers and lease agreement in Rajasthan will now pay a surcharge of 10% on stamp duty for cow protection. The surcharge has been imposed on all non-judicial instruments, a finance department order said. PTI
Era of honesty has begun: Modi ‘Government’s ight against corruption and black money will continue’ has started in India...a good life can be led even without looting the poor.”
Amarnath Tewary Patna
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday stressed that his government’s fight against corruption and black money would continue. Addressing a function while laying the foundation stone for a number of projects, including a six-km long bridge over the Ganga at Sahibganj in Jharkhand, Mr. Modi focussed on development, skill development and use of solar energy. Only these could bring change in the lives of people, he felt. “Corruption and black money has destroyed the country but our fight against them will continue…jinhone garibon ko loota hai, unhe garibon ko lautana hi padega (those who have looted the
Lawyer tells SC to invoke it judiciously Krishnadas Rajagopal NEW DELHI
The highway liquor ban imposed by the Supreme Court was raised by BJP veteran L.K. Advani’s lawyer and senior advocate K.K. Venugopal on Thursday as an instance of the Supreme Court flexing its extraordinary constitutional powers to do more harm than the good it intended. “Your Lordships’ use of Article 142 should be in accordance with law and due process of law as guaranteed in Article 21. Your recent order on the highway liquor ban has rendered lakhsjobless,” he submitted. Mr. Venugopal was reacting strongly against a proposal by a Bench of Justices P.C. Ghose and Rohinton Nariman to employ its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to order a joint trial of
Reaching out: Narendra Modi distributing smartphones to women entrepreneurs in Sahibganj, Jharkhand, on Thursday. Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das is also seen. PTI *
poor will have to return to the poor)”, the Prime Minisater said. The proposed bridge will be the biggest one across the
Ganga to connect Bihar and Jharkhand. Beginning his speech in the local Santhali language, he said: “The era of honesty
Solar revolution He also appealed to the people to protect the environment. “We should also become sensitive towards energy consumption”, he said, while making a reference to the use of solar energy for lamps and pumps for irrigation. “In this century no citizen of India should live in darkness… I congratulate the Jharkhand Government for harnessing solar energy”, he said, while adding that “solar pumps could be a big revolution to better farmers’ condition in the country…..” He also distributed smart phones to women self-help groups.
Since liquor sale is already regulated, drunk driving not a worry, say hoteliers the Supreme Court to seek relief on the ground that the sale and consumption of liquor is already a highly regulated business in the State.
Mahesh Langa Ahmedabad
No entry: A hotel on the State Highway in Ahmedabad, which was afected by the liquor ban. VIJAY SONEJI *
ing, 16 resorts and hotels have been issued closure notices by the State prohibition department, as they fall within the 500m range of state or na-
tional highways. However, the licensed liquor shop operators and the State authorities are considering approaching
the two Babri Masjid demolition cases pending for the past 25 years. Article 142 empowers the SC to pass any decree or order necessary for doing “complete justice” in any matter pending before it.
‘No unlimited power’ “Excuse me for putting it bluntly, but Article 142 is not a source of unlimited power for you to go far ahead. There should be self-restraint,” Mr. Venugopal submitted. The senior lawyer had objected that a joint trial now would disrupt existing trial in the two cases and the rights of the accused. He submitted how the liquor ban, ostensibly meant to protect the right to good health, has boomeranged to deprive lakhs of employees in the trade of their fundamental right to earn a living.
U.P. meat traders call for nation-wide protest Seek alternatives till they get licences Omar Rashid LUCKNOW
Agitating meat traders of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday hardened their tone and threatened to call a countrywide shut down of the meat business and all trades associated with it if the State government did not provide them with an alternative set-up until the modernisation of slaughter houses was complete. This came after the Allahabad High Court told the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government that it cannot impose a prohibition on meat under the garb of cracking down on illegal slaughterhouses. Terming choice of food as part of right to life, the court gave the State 10 days to ensure that its crackdown on unlicensed abattoirs did not deprive people of their livelihood or food.
Slaughter houses shut The government has said it has shut down 26 illegal slaughter houses in the
Livelihood in peril: A family engaged in meat trade rests behind a shop that was shut recently. REUTERS *
State so far. To chalk out their strategy against the “unwarranted government intervention,” the All India Jamiatul Quresh (AIJQ), a social body representing the Qureshis, a Muslim community traditionally involved in the meat trade, convened a special meeting here. Apart from alternatives, they have also asked the government to direct the concerned authorities to provide meat shops with new licences and renewal of those pending for years. If the U.P. government does not meet their “legitimate demands”, the Qureshis have threatened to stage a protest in Lucknow on April 20.
BJP plans to repeat U.P. formula in Bihar Shah to hit the road to Champaran Nistula Hebbar New Delhi
‘Dry’ Gujarat in a ix over SC order The Supreme Court’s ruling to close all liquor shops within a range of 500m from national and State highways has created a peculiar situation for ‘dry’ Gujarat, where sale and consumption of liquor is prohibited. Except those holding permits issued by the state health department, no one can consume liquor in the State. However, there are more than 50 licensed liquor shops, mostly in resorts and luxury hotels. These cater to permit holders and to tourists who get temporary permits. After the apex court’s rul-
‘Use restraint in using Article 142’
On the BJP’s 37th foundation day on Thursday, party president Amit Shah, in a meeting of its parliamentary group, exhorted his colleagues to take the party to every corner of the country, where it has no presence or has lost ground. Perhaps this is the reason why, after the loss suffered by the BJP in the 2015 Assembly polls in Bihar, Mr. Shah is looking for a second wind in the State. Mr. Shah will be travelling by road from Patna to Champaran on April 19, to mark the centenary of the struggle waged by Mahatma Gandhi on behalf of indigent indigo farmers in that area, an iconic event in India’s freedom struggle. While party sources said the programme had been decided sometime last year itself, Mr. Shah’s trip comes at the back of a new set of office-bearers being appointed in the State unit of the party — a caste and age combination that hints at a re-
vival plan for the party’s fortunes. Taking a cue from its success in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP in Bihar has decided to throw in its lot with the backward-forward caste combination that worked for it in UP.
New look While the State unit president, declared last year, is young MP Nityanand Rai, belonging to the Yadav community, his team, with a total of 30 members is dominated by backward classes, Mahadalits and Extremely Backward Class leaders. “Out of 30 office-bearers, 16 are from backward communities, and 14 from forward castes,” said a senior office-bearer of the party. “More significantly for making a total break from the past, the average age of the team is below 50 years. That means that most of those in decision-making positions in the last 20 years are no longer in that position. It’s a new-look party,” said the source.
Different scenario “Gujarat is not like the rest of India. Here, only a few people with permits can consume liquor,” said a prominent hotelier. “We have met some State government officials and they seem convinced by our plea,” he added. “Since even permit holders are not allowed to drink in public places, the issue of drunken driving does not arise.” M ND-ND
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THE HINDU
NEWS 9
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IN BRIEF
Kirti Chakra for Gorkha martyr
Teesta hangs ire as Hasina arrives
Special Correspondent
Kallol Bhattacherjee Suhasini Haidar
New Delhi
Discussions to reboot Indo-Myanmar ties held IMPHAL
India’s Ambassador to Myanmar Vikram Mistry and Manipur CM N. Biren Singh met on Thursday to discuss ‘ways to revamp trade ties between India and Myanmar’ here. Besides, the alleged dismantling of a saw mill in Haolenphai village near the Indo-Myanmar border and carting away of the machineries to Myanmar also figured in the talks.
NDA govt. does not want Lokpal, says Congress NEW DELHI
Kirti Chakra, the second highest peacetime gallantry award, was posthumously conferred on Lance Havildar Prem Bahadur Resmi Magar of Gorkha Rifles by President Pranab Mukherjee at the defence investiture ceremony in the Capital on Thursday. The late Lance Havildar eliminated four terrorists during an operation in Jammu and Kashmir on June 16 last year.
13 Shaurya Chakras Mr. Mukherjee also presented 13 Shaurya Chakras, of which four were posthumous, and 45 Distinguished Service medals. These include 15 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, two Uttam Yudh Seva Medals and 28 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals.
West Bengal not fully on board on water sharing, but Delhi and Dhaka to press ahead with ties NEW DELHI
The West Bengal government is not yet fully on board on sharing of Teesta waters with Bangladesh, a senior official said on Thursday. Officials said India remained committed to dialogue on Teesta with Bangladesh, but indicated that the high point of the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from April 7 to 10 is likely to be defence and security agreements. “There is still some degree of doubt that has been expressed by the State government on what will be the implications of such an accord on the people of West Bengal, and until that is resolved, this [negotiation on the agreement] remains a challenge that we have not yet reached a closure on,” said Sripriya Ranganathan,
The Congress on Thursday accused the BJP-led NDA government of not wanting the Lokpal in place as it did not want any accountability, saying was engaging in “doublespeak” on the issue. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the present government was not appointing the Lokpal on the basis of “frivolous, flimsy and trivialised excuses” even while the Act was in place since 2014. PTI
Free trade pact of Turnbull’s agenda
India, Nepal agree to talks on bilateral pacts
Australian PM arriving on Sunday
KATHMANDU
India and Nepal on Thursday agreed on further studies and discussions on updating and reviewing some of the bilateral agreements, including the crucial Peace and Friendship Treaty signed in 1950. This was decided at the third meeting of the India-Nepal Eminent Persons’ Group, which concluded here on Thursday. The two sides held talks on the treaty and on bilateral issues, former Nepalese ambassador to India Bhesh Thapa said. PTI
Two IPS officers compulsorily retired NEW DELHI
The Home Ministry has compulsorily retired two IPS officers following “unauthorised leave” from service, a senior government official said on Thursday. Abhishek Kumar Singh, an IPS probationer of Gujarat cadre, has been absent from Junagadh, his last posting, since 2014. The other officer, Rajan Singh, is a 1996 batch Kerala cadre officer.
Suhasini Haidar New Delhi
India and Australia will not sign the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement during the visit of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull that begins on Sunday, officials on both sides confirmed on Thursday. They, however, said the negotiations on the free trade pact would continue. During his four-day visit, Mr. Turnbull is expected to focus on trade, investment and education opportunities. He is likely to reaffirm his government’s support to the decision taken by the previous Australian government on civil nuclear cooperation and selling uranium to India. Mr. Turnbull and Prime Minister Narendra Modi formalised the decision during their meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Turkey in 2015. Diplomatic sources said
they expected a shipment of the nuclear fuel from Australia to arrive on Indian shores “later this year”. The two sides will sign some agreements in the field of security and energy cooperation.
‘Ties expanded’ “Our relationship has expanded dramatically since we established a strategic partnership in 2009, followed by two-way Prime Ministerial visits in 2014. We are taking forward an active and ambitious agenda,” Australian High Commissioner Harinder Sidhu said in a press release announcing the Turnbull visit. However, the CECA, which they have pursued since 2011 and completed nine rounds on up till September 2015, is firmly off the list. Officials refused to comment on when it was likely to be done, saying only that talks remained “complex” at the moment. (With inputs from Arun S.)
be dominated by the bilateral defence pacts, which will address Bangladesh’s needs.
Joint Secretary in charge of Bangladesh in the External Affairs Ministry.
Talks with Mamata The official said Prime Minister Hasina was likely to hold talks with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a special reception to be hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee at which the Chief Ministers of other States bordering Bangladesh have also been invited. The outcome of the meeting between Ms. Banerjee and Ms. Hasina, however, remains unclear. “I will sidestep this question for now,” said Ms. Ranganathan when asked to spell out if the deal could be achieved during the visit, explaining that India would not dilute its commitment to finalising the interim agreement signed on sharing of the river water. “The Prime Minister [Nar-
Sheikh Hasina endra Modi] during his visit to Dhaka last year … conveyed that India is a federal structure and we need to have the full and unstinted support of the State government [while concluding the treaty], and that is the portion that is the work in progress,” she said. The visit, which is expected to see 20 governmentlevel agreements, is likely to
Twin MoUs “We do intend to sign two MoUs during the coming visit. One is a framework MoU on defence engagement that provides a structure for cooperation. It is a typical MoU for a period of five years subject to renewal in automatic mode, that will provide a way for bilateral ties to go forward on R&D, defence supplies,” Ms. Ranganathan said. A second agreement for $500 million will also be concluded to assist Bangladesh to source some of its military-grade equipment from India. A special memorandum of understanding on training of Bangladesh military personnel is also included on the agenda.
India, Russia seal deal on Kudankulam Unit 1 New Delhi formally takes over its full operational control
The official also said that India’s support for the Ruppur nuclear power project of Bangladesh and joint efforts to counter radicalism in Bangladesh would be other key areas during the bilateral talks that would be held on Saturday. “Extent of cooperation [on anti-IS agenda] is going ahead very well. But we hope to sign a cybersecurity agreement during the visit,” she said. India will also conclude a framework agreement on civil nuclear cooperation with Bangladesh.
Line of credit The visit is also likely to witness an agreement on a line of credit with Bangladesh that officials said would be “substantial”. The Hindu had earlier reported that the line of credit would be to the tune of $ 5 billion.
Saudi expels Rajasthani for IS activity Special Correspondent New Delhi
Following a request by India, Saudi Arabia deported a Rajasthan resident for allegedly propagating the ideologies of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist outfit. In a statement, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said Amzad Khan, who operated online with a number of aliases, was arrested after his deportation on April 4. Mr. Khan (37) had emerged as a major suspect in the case against unknown and unidentified persons involved in Islamic States-related activities in countries that are at peace with India. The NIA had filed a charge sheet and a supplementary charge sheet last year in the case but the probe is still on. The agency said he was working in Riyadh since 2014.
4 NGOs get Google’s $8.4 million grant To back tech-based learning solutions Press Trust of India
Special Correspondent
New Delhi
NEW DELHI
To bridge the quality education gap and provide students with tech-based learning solutions, Google.org on Thursday announced a grant of $8.4 million to four Indian NGOs working to improve education in the country. Pratham Books StoryWeaver, Pratham Education Foundation, Million Sparks Foundation and Learning Equality will receive the grants over the next two years to expand the work they have been doing.
India has taken over full operational control of Unit 1 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP). On Wednesday, India signed a joint statement with Russia on the final takeover of the unit, formally marking the full transition. The agreement was signed between representatives of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. and the ASE Group of Companies, a subsidiary of ROSATOM State Atomic Energy Corporation of Russia. With the deal, the Russian and the Indian sides have confirmed fulfilment of all warranty terms and obligations of the contractor (ASE Group of Companies) for the construction of Unit 1, Rosatom said in a statement on Thursday. “The warranty period run showed reliable and safe operation of Unit 1. Thus, the Indian side confirms that
Critical push: A view of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. PTI *
ASE Group of Companies, which is a general contractor, has fulfilled all its tasks in full and accurately,” said Andrei Lebedev, vicepresident of ASE for projects in South Asia. The commercial operation and the warranty period of Unit 1 started in December 2014. The warranty is typically for one year, which ended in December 2015. However, the final takeover agreement was
delayed to ensure the reliability of the plant and equipment as this is the first of a series of six reactors.
Technical issues Unit 1 had encountered technical issues and was shut down briefly after it commenced power generation. On March 30, 2017, the joint protocol on provisional acceptance of Unit 2 of the plant was signed, which marked the start of its commercial operation.
‘Bridging the gap’ “We believe technology can help bridge the gap. It can get more books to students, more lesson plans to teachers, and classrooms to kids who can’t get there themselves,” Nick Cain, Programme Manager at Google.org, said. The Million Sparks Foundations, with its digital content platform and social
community ‘ChalkLit’, provides teachers with lessons plans, learning modules and videos. While Pratham Education’s hybrid learning program provides students with “self-driven” tablet-based solutions, Pratham Books’ StoryWeaver is an opensource online platform, which allows teachers and parents to create and translate stories in over 67 languages. In association with local partner Motivation for Excellence, Learning Equality aims to “help educators access, organise and customise digital content even in the most remote locations” through their platform ‘Kolibri’.
Navy warns shipyard of penalties Reliance-controlled Pipavav unit, however, is conident of delivering on time
Deadline pressure: The Pipavav shipyard in Gujarat has emerged as animportant private dockyard for the military.
two NPOVs are scheduled to be launched by May 2017 and delivered by October and December 2017. The remaining three are expected by November 2017 and delivered by April, June and August 2018. Despite speculation in the past few years about the possibility of the Navy imposing a financial penalty on the shipyard, there has been no such decision yet.
over and that it is confident of delivering on time. The shipyard is now engaged in the construction of five naval offshore patrol vessels (NOPV) and maintenance of at least two other naval ships and is bidding for several major contracts. Its engagement with the military significantly outweighs work by any other private Indian shipyard. In response to a detailed
Faster execution A Reliance official told The Hindu that the firm had accelerated work since the RDEL took over. “It’s a contractual issue. All these damages are based on discussions ... there is a standard procedure. They know what we have done and how much we have done and then we will deal with whatever it is,” he said about the penalty clause.
Josy Joseph Dinakar Peri NEW DELHI
The Pipavav shipyard in Gujarat, owned by the Reliance group headed by Anil Ambani, has emerged as the most important private shipyard for the Indian military in recent times. The shipyard, however, has not been able to meet deadlines, adversely affecting the operational capabilities of the Navy, naval sources say. The Navy told The Hindu that it would impose penalties on the shipyard if there were delays in delivery of ships and other contract works.
Fresh impetus Reliance Defence and Engineering Ltd. (RDEL), which took over Pipavav in early 2016, insists that the shipyard has pulled up after the new management took
questionnaire, the Navy said there had been a 65% progress on the first two NOPVs and 30% on the other three NOPVs as on February 16. However, this is after a delay of more than two years. The original contract for the NOPVs was signed in 2011, with the first boat to be delivered by early 2015. According to fresh revised timeline provided to The Hindu by the Navy, the first
Breaking the silence on depression WHO aims at encouraging people to overcome stigma and seek treatment cides that occur in low- and middle-income countries such as India.
Special Correspondent New Delhi
To encourage people with depression to overcome stigma and seek treatment, the World Health Organisation is focussing on the illness this World Health Day, April 7. The public health community worldwide is recognising the damage caused by the silence over depression and mental illness and has raised the slogan “Depression: Let’s Talk” to mark the day. Nearly five crore Indians have depression, and according to the latest WHO estimates, over 300 million CM YK
Nearly ive crore Indians sufer from depression. *
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people are living with it globally. This is an increase of more than 18% over the last decade and accounts for over two-thirds of global sui-
Premature deaths Depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability. Lack of support for people with mental disorders, coupled with a fear of stigma, prevents many from accessing the treatment they need to lead a healthy and productive life. \ “Mental health cannot be divorced from physical health. In fact, people suffering from major depression have a 40-60% chance of dying prematurely owing to
physical health problems that are left unattended or suicide. Suicide is the second most common cause of death among young people worldwide. The Mental Health Care Act, 2017 is a significant step towards destigmatising psychological disorders, recognising an attempt at suicide as an act committed under severe mental stress,” said Keshav Desiraju, a former Union Health Secretary who was instrumental in drafting the law. In India, the passage of the Mental Health Care Bill has steered the debate in a positive direction. M ND-ND
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ELSEWHERE
Syrian govt. sets terms for inquiry into chemical attack
GOP ends Democratic blockade of Gorsuch Trump’s SC pick will be conirmed
Nunes steps away from Russia probe Associated Press Washington
Reuters
Foreign Minister says the regime did not carry out the gas assault in Idlib province Reuters
Thailand King signs new Constitution BANGKOK
Thailand’s King Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun signed the country’s new military-backed Constitution on Thursday. The charter could allow fresh elections but limit the authority of politicians taking oice. AP
70% say Hollande is a ‘bad President’ PARIS
Seventy per cent of French people believe outgoing Socialist leader Francois Hollande was a “bad President”, according to a new poll published on Thursday. He decided not to seek re-election in December, bowing to the inevitable in the face of catastrophic approval ratings. AFP
Bishop resigns over 'inappropriate behaviour' DAX
The Bishop of the southwest French diocese of Dax resigned on Thursday over “inappropriate behaviour” towards youth, just weeks after complaints came to light. Herve Gaschignard resigned at the suggestion of the Vatican’s envoy to France, Archbishop Luigi Ventura, the Catholic Church said. AFP
Beirut
The Syrian government set conditions on Thursday for any international inquiry into a suspected chemical attack that killed scores of people, saying it must not be “politicised” and should set out from Damascus and not Turkey. Foreign Minister Walid alMoualem said Syria’s past experience with international inquiries had not been encouraging. The government would only decide on the idea once its concerns were addressed, he said. Mr. Moualem also reiterated the government’s strong denial that it was behind the attack on Tuesday in Khan Sheikhoun in the northwestern province of Idlib, an area mostly controlled by rebel groups at the border with Turkey. U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said President Bashar al-Assad’s government had gone “beyond a red line” and said his attitude towards Syria and Mr. Assad had changed. But he gave no indication of how he would respond. Mr. Moualem did not directly respond to questions about Mr. Trump’s comments. But he said he recognised “the gravity” of recent U.S. statements, and cited
speculation U.S. comments may have been a means of exercising diplomatic pressure at the United Nations. Mr. Moualem, speaking at a news conference in Damascus, said the Syrian government’s Russian allies had put forward ideas for the formation of a “non-politicised commission of inquiry”. “It must not be politicised, it must leave from Damascus and not Turkey. We have numerous questions about this subject. When we are certain these questions are addressed with convincing answers, we will give you our response.”
Take action, Trump told Meanwhile, two Republican Senators have called on U.S. President Donald Trump to take out Syria’s air force in response to the attack. Senators John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina are defence hawks and among Mr. Trump’s sharpest critics in the party. They said in a statement that Syrian President Bashar Assad “has crossed a line” and “must pay a punitive cost for this horrific attack.” Senator Graham said Mr. Trump had his “permission” to “hit this guy [President Bashar al-Assad]”. (With AP inputs)
Speak up for India, British lawmaker tells diaspora Seeks support for his motion on Gilgit-Baltistan
Searching for clues: WHO experts take part in an autopsy at a hospital in Adana, Turkey. Ankara said the autopsies proved that people in Idlib faced a chemical weapons attack. AP *
Kremlin lashes out at U.S. Agence France-Presse Moscow
The Kremlin on Thursday said US allegations that Syrian forces carried out a deadly chemical attack are not based on “objective” information. “We consider a much more measured approach necessary and do not think it is possible to surrender oneself to hasty conclusions about what happened in Syria in the Idlib province,”
spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. “It was really a threatening development of events, very dangerous and a monstrous crime,” he said, referring to the incident. “No one could have any realistic, verified information. Any data that the American side or our colleagues in other countries could have cannot be based on objective materials or evidence.”
London
A British lawmaker is urging members of the Indian diaspora to lobby their Members of Parliament to support a motion introduced by him last month condemning Pakistan’s announcement that Gilgit-Baltistan was its fifth frontier, warning that MPs were continually lobbied by “separatists” and the “right of self determination lobby”. Bob Blackman, the Conservative MP for the London constituency of Harrow East introduced the Early Day Motion — a formal means for MPs to bring attention to issues outside the formal debating chamber — on March 23, but remains the sole signatory to it. In an email interview with The Hindu, Mr. Blackman said his office had been sending out letter templates to community leaders, urging them to write to their MPs, as part of a wider project launched to engage with the diaspora. While some MPs had indicated they would be willing to support him in other ways, such as debates, Mr. Blackman said many MPs were “not well versed with the actual situation on the ground in Pakistan as well as
Bob Blackman
surrounding regions”. “They are constantly lobbied by the separatists and the ‘Right of Self Determination” lobby who give them the impression that it is India causing human rights violations— far removed from the actual reality on the ground. MPs speak on behalf of their constituents and I feel that this is something where the Indian diaspora are very weak,” he added.
Highlighting the truth “They work hard, get on with their lives, but hardly ever stand up to speak on matters concerning India with their MPs. They don’t realise that they are not interfering in matters pertaining to India and Pakistan but are actually highlighting the truth by educating their MPs
about these matters. If left uninformed, the MPs will continue to be fed misinformation by the propagandists.” The British government’s position has been to be neutral on this issue, as it has been on issues relating to India and Pakistan. “On issues of a bilateral nature, it is for those two countries to reach a settlement; it is not for us to prescribe a solution or act as a mediator. Of course, we encourage both sides to maintain good relations and we will continue to talk to them,” said Alok Sharma, a Foreign Office minister, in response to a question from Mr. Blackman in the House of Commons last week. “The U.K. government takes a view of non-interference in the matter and quite rightly so,” said Mr. Blackman. “However, the U.K.’s relationship with India is different from its relationship with Pakistan and I hope that our friendship with India gets the right attention and strength that it so rightly deserves. We are more equal partners in that sense and this friendship must be nurtured therefore it is imperative that the UK take a certain stand on human rights issues pertaining to Pakistan.”
An extreme break The Senate’s action paved the way to confirm Justice Gorsuch by simple majority, with a vote expected at roughly 2399 GMT on Friday. Republicans control the Senate 52-48. The rule change is considered an extreme break with Senate tradition. Mr. Trump had encouraged Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch Mc-
Justice Neil Gorsuch Connell to “go nuclear”. Confirmation of Justice Gorsuch would represent Mr. Trump’s first major victory since taking office, after setbacks on healthcare legislation and his blocked order to prevent people from several Muslim-majority nations from entering the United States. “This will be the first and last partisan filibuster of the Supreme Court,” Mr. McConnell said on the Senate floor, accusing Senate Democrats of trying to inflict political damage on Mr. Trump. “In 20 or 30 or 40 years, we will sadly point to today as a turning point in the history of the Senate and the Supreme Court, a day when we irrevocably moved further away from the principles our founders intended for these institutions: principles of bipartisanship, moderation and consensus,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor.
Aung San Suu Kyi denies ethnic cleansing of Rohingya minority Says it is too strong an expression for what is happening demned the crackdown, which UN investigators, who spoke to escapees, said likely amounted to crimes against humanity.
Agence France-Presse Vidya Ram
WASHINGTON
U.S. Senate Republicans on Thursday crushed a Democratic blockade of President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee in a fierce partisan brawl, approving a rule change dubbed the “nuclear option” to allow for conservative judge Neil Gorsuch's confirmation by Friday. With ideological control of the nation’s highest court at stake, the Republican-led Senate voted 5248 along party lines to change its long-standing rules in order to prohibit a procedural tactic called a filibuster against Supreme Court nominees. That came after Republicans failed by a 55-45 tally to muster the 60-vote super-majority needed to end the Democratic filibuster that had sought to deny Justice Gorsuch confirmation to the lifetime post.
Citing ethics complaints, the chairman of the House intelligence committee announced Thursday he is temporarily surrendering his leadership post in the panel’s probe into Russian meddling in last year’s presidential election. The decision by Republican Rep. Devin Nunes of California comes amid partisan turmoil on the committee. Democrats have alleged that Mr. Nunes, who was on President Donald Trump’s transition team, is too close to the White House and cannot lead an impartial inquiry. “The charges are entirely false and politically motivated,” Mr. Nunes said. “Several left-wing activist groups,” he added, filed accusations against him with the House ethics committee, charging him with improperly disclosing classified information.
Yangon
Aung San Suu Kyi has denied security forces have carried out ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, speaking to the BBC after the UN rights council agreed to investigate allegations of rape, murder and torture against the army. Rights groups say hundreds of Rohingya were killed in a months-long army crackdown following deadly attacks on Myanmar border police posts. Almost 75,000 Rohingya have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh where they have related grisly accounts of army abuse. Myanmar's
Aung San Suu Kyi de facto leader Suu Kyi, a Nobel Laureate whose international star as a rights defender is waning over the treatment of the Rohingya, has not spoken out in defence of the persecuted minority. She has also not con-
‘Need space’ Instead she has called for space to handle the incendiary issue in a country where the more than one million Rohingya are widely vilified as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. “I don't think there is ethnic cleansing going on," Suu Kyi said in a rare interview televised on Wednesday. “I think ethnic cleansing is too strong an expression to use for what is happening.”
N. Korea warns U.S. against provocation Agence France-Presse Moscow
North Korea is ready to deliver the “most ruthless blow” if provoked by the United States, its ambassador to Moscow said Thursday, after President Donald Trump pledged to keep building up defences against Pyongyang. “Our Army has already said that if there will be even the smallest provocation from the United States
during exercises, we are ready to deliver the most ruthless blow,” Interfax quoted ambassador Kim Hyong-Jun as saying.
Ready to counter U.S. “We have the readiness and ability to counter any challenge from the U.S.,” he was quoted as saying. Mr. Trump on Wednesday pledged to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that the U.S. would “con-
tinue to strengthen its ability to deter and defend itself and its allies with the full range of its military capabilities,” a day after Pyongyang fired a ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan. North Korea’s Foreign Ministry on Monday assailed Washington for its tough talk and for an ongoing joint military exercise with South Korea and Japan.
Bezos selling Amazon stake to fund race to space Billionaire is building a commercial and tourist venture that will take people up for panoramic views of Earth Nicholas St. Fleur Colorado Spings
Standing against the backdrop of his New Shepard rocket booster and a fullscale mock capsule for carrying humans into space, Jeff Bezos revealed on Wednesday that he was selling about $1 billion in Amazon stock a year to finance his Blue Origin rocket company. Mr. Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon, showed off the reusable rocket booster and the mock-up of the capsule that will take people up for panoramic views back down at Earth, during a symposium here. Mr. Bezos, who hopes to build Blue Origin into a commercial and tourist venture, also disclosed that it would cost about $2.5 billion to develop an even bigger rocket, New Glenn, capable of lifting satellites and, eventually, people into orbit. Like his fellow technology titan Elon Musk of SpaceX CM YK
spaceflight became more common. (Hundreds of people have already put down deposits to reserve places on similar commercial trips on Virgin Galactic that could cost $250,000 a ticket, although that company’s spaceplane has yet to take anyone up.)
and Tesla, Mr. Bezos has identified reusable rocket parts as a key to lowering the price of admission to the field, which he said on Wednesday would lead to a “golden age of space exploration”. “If we can make access to space low-cost, then entrepreneurs will be unleashed,” he said. “You will see creativity, you will see dynamism, you will see the same thing in space that I’ve witnessed on the internet in the last 20 years.”
Aiming for the stars: Jef Bezos discusses his reusable rocket system in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Wednesday. NYT
Wary of timetables Last month, Mr. Bezos announced the first-paying customer, Eutelstat, a satellite company, for New Glenn, whose commercial flights would help offset costs. New Glenn is expected to fly by 2020, he said, but humans will not be passengers on the heavy-lift rocket until many years after that.
Mr. Bezos has repeatedly expressed caution about setting timetables for the start of Blue Origin’s commercial or passenger trips, and he did not diverge from that Wednesday. He would not say when New Shepard would undergo its next round of test flights, or set a specific date as a goal, merely mentioning next year for possible tourist
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trips. “It’s a mistake to race to a deadline when you’re talking about a flying vehicle, especially one that you’re going to put people on,” he said. “I still think we can do commercial paying passengers in 2018.” Asked how much passengers would pay, Mr. Bezos said he did not know yet, but he predicted ticket prices would decline as
Modest start New Shepard is a modest start for Mr. Bezos’ ambitions to tap into the nascent space tourism market. It is a single-stage booster with a capsule on top that is designed to carry six passengers at a time on trips of about 10 to 11 minutes. There will not be a Blue Origin crew on the spacecraft. Passengers wearing sleek jumpsuits will be able to peer out what the company says will be the largest windows in space, taking up about one-third of the surface area of the dome. About 12 feet in diameter,
the passenger capsule holds six black seats that resemble recliners, with panels offering details about altitude and other features of a trip. The engine that powers the booster produces up to about 110,000 pounds of thrust. On ascent, passengers will experience forces of about 3 Gs, about three times the normal force of gravity that humans experience on earth. When the booster reaches a certain altitude, the capsule will detach and coast above the Karman line, which is 62 miles above sea level, officially entering into space. There, the passengers will experience about four to five minutes of weightlessness. They can unbuckle their harnesses and do somersaults, if desired, in the padded-dome interior. On descent, they will encounter forces of 5 Gs. NYT M ND-ND
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market watch 06-04-2017
% CHANGE
Sensex dddddddddddddddddddddd 29,927 ddddddddddddd -0.16 US Dollar dddddddddddddddddddd 64.52 ddddddddddddd -0.54 Gold ddddddddddddddddddddddddddd 29,275 ddddddddddddd -0.43 Brent oil ddddddddddddddddddddd 54.80 ddddddddddddddd0.62
NIFTY 50
RBI holds policy rate, raises reverse repo rate Reiterates resolve to attain 4% inlation target over medium term
PRICE CHANGE
ACC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1489.75. . . . . . . 19.55 Adani Ports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356.65. . . . . . . . -1.50 Ambuja Cements. . . .. . . . . . 243.35. . . . . . . . . 4.60 Asian Paints. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 1086.90. . . . . . . . . 4.35 Aurobindo Pharma . . . . . . 670.45. . . . . . . . -7.05 Axis Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 508.70. . . . . . . . . 0.40 Bajaj Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2806.30. . . . . . . 45.45 Bank of Baroda . . . . . .. . . . . . 174.90. . . . . . . . . 0.35 Bharti Airtel . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 341.80. . . . . . . . -2.70 Bosch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22897.75. . . . . . . . -1.40 BPCL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 646.20. . . . . . . . . 8.45 Cipla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 590.30. . . . . . . . -2.75 Coal India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286.40. . . . . . . . -3.65 Dr Reddys Lab . . . . . . . .. . . . 2718.10. . . . . . -23.25 Eicher Motors. . . . . . . . .. 25596.30. . . -168.95 GAIL (India). . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 386.65. . . . . . . . . 4.25 Grasim Ind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1069.10. . . . . . . . . 3.80 HCL Tech. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 853.50. . . . . . . . . 3.00 HDFC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1482.60. . . . . . . . -7.55 HDFC Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1438.50. . . . . . . . . 6.15 Hero MotoCorp . . . . . .. . . . 3206.30. . . . . . . . . 8.25 Hindalco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193.95. . . . . . . . -4.25 Hind Unilever . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 934.65. . . . . . . . -0.70 Indiabulls HFL . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 977.00. . . . . . . . -9.30 ICICI Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280.85. . . . . . . . -4.00 IndusInd Bank . . . . . . . .. . . . 1421.65. . . . . . . 20.70 Bharti Infratel . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 339.15. . . . . . . . . 1.45 Infosys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 999.60. . . . . . . . . 3.65 Indian OilCorp . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 385.75. . . . . . . . . 4.40 ITC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274.10. . . . . . . . -4.85 Kotak Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 894.35. . . . . . . . . 4.50 L&T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1683.20. . . . . . -13.25 Lupin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1448.40. . . . . . . . -6.55 M&M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1288.90. . . . . . . . -1.85 Maurti Suzuki . . . . . . . . .. . . . 6291.65. . . . . . -50.75 NTPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167.70. . . . . . . . . 1.20 ONGC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187.55. . . . . . . . . 1.30 PowerGrid Corp . . . . .. . . . . . 197.20. . . . . . . . . 2.20 Reliance Ind . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 1438.50. . . . . . . 23.50 State Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292.85. . . . . . . . -4.50 Sun Pharma . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 686.90. . . . . . . . -3.80 Tata Motors . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 473.20. . . . . . . . -0.30 Tata Motors DVR. . . .. . . . . . 286.45. . . . . . . . . 1.30 Tata Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87.30. . . . . . . . -0.90 Tata Steel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 501.65. . . . . . . . . 8.35 TCS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2400.05. . . . . . . . -1.20 Tech Mahindra . . . . . . .. . . . . . 446.90. . . . . . . . -0.05 UltraTech Cement . .. . . . 4111.15. . . . . . . 29.90 Wipro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514.70. . . . . . . . . 4.05 YES Bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1564.75. . . . . . . . -2.75 Zee Entertainment . . . . . . 553.40. . . . . . . . . 9.90
Special Correspondent MUMBAI
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept the key policy rate, the repo rate, unchanged in the first bimonthly policy review of 2017-18 but narrowed the policy corridor by 25 bps by raising the reverse repo rate to 6%, from 5.75%. All six members of the monetary policy committee (MPC) — which decides interest rates — voted in favour of the decision. The central bank said the policy decision was consistent with the neutral policy stance with the objective of achieving the medium-term target for retail inflation, which is 4%. “The MPC saw the path of
inflation in 2017-18 challenged by upside risks and unfavourable base effects towards the second half of the year,” Urjit Patel, Governor, RBI, said in the post policy press conference. “Accordingly, inflation developments have to be closely monitored with food price pressures can be checked so that inflation expectations can be anchored.” The central bank said the future course of monetary policy would largely depend on incoming data on how macroeconomic conditions are evolving.
Wait and watch: The future course of monetary policy will depend on macroeconomic factors, says the RBI. PAUL NORONHA
‘hawkish’ tone disappointed bond traders who were expecting a softer tone. Yield on the 10-year benchmark bond hardened to 6.77% as
‘Softer’ tone expected While the repo rate action was in line with market expectations, the Governor’s
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Driving in style
Centre may seek legislative nod for RDA Somesh Jha NEW DELHI
The Centre will likely attempt to secure legislative backing for the Rail Development Authority (RDA) next year to give more teeth to the country’s first rail regulator that will initially be set up through an executive order. The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved setting up the rail regulator responsible for recommending passenger fares, setting performance standards for rail operations and creating a level playing policy for private sector participation through an executive order.
EXCHANGE RATES
TT BUY
TT SELL
US Dollar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 64.31. . . . . . . 64.63 Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 68.56. . . . . . . 68.90 British Pound . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 80.08. . . . . . . 80.48 Japanese Yen (100) . .. . 57.98. . . . . . . 58.27 Chinese Yuan . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 9.32. . . . . . . . . 9.37 Swiss Franc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 64.07. . . . . . . 64.40 Singapore Dollar . . . . . . .. . 45.89. . . . . . . 46.13 Canadian Dollar . . . . . . . . .. . 47.89. . . . . . . 48.13 Malaysian Ringitt . . . . . .. . 14.49. . . . . . . 14.59 Source:Indian Bank
BULLION RATES
CHENNAI
April 06 rates in rupees with previous rates in parentheses Retail Silver (1g) . . . . . . . . . . . 45.50. . . . . (45.70) 22 ct gold (1 g) . .. . . . . . . . . . . 2,780. . . . . (2,781)
More choice: The new Audi A3 Sedan was unveiled on Thursday. It is priced at ₹30.5 lakh onwards for the petrol version and ₹32.3 lakh onwards for the diesel variant. The company said it wanted to regain the number one luxury carmaker spot in India. BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT *
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TRAI’s new service norms soon
Over 62% customers face call drops, says government survey
Special Correspondent
About 2.21 lakh subscribers participated using IVRS
NEW DELHI
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India will, in the next few weeks, come out with amended quality of service norms that telecom services providers will need to comply with. “We are reviewing the quality of service norms itself,” said R.S. Sharma, chairman, TRAI replying to queries on steps to deal with call drops. “We want to finalise parameters that are technology agnostic or which can be applied to all technologies be it 4G or 3G. The main objective is that customers get good quality service,” he said. Most of the work on the issue is almost complete. Hence, the order is likely to be out soon, Mr. Sharma said at a FICCI event. He said the regulator had identified seven important issues, tariff regulations being one of them, on which consultations will be initiated this year. The TRAI had in January released a consultation paper on review of the standards of quality of service of basic telephone services and mobile telephone services.
lower than the repo rate without the need for any collateral. “We are awaiting a decision on our preferred facility, which is the standing deposit facility,” Deputy Governor Viral Acharya said. “Beyond that, we may deploy other tools if our toolkit remains constrained and contingencies that arise so demand.”
Analysts said there were upside risks to the 4% target and there was a possibility of an increase in the cash reserve ratio, going forward. “We expect higher rural wage growth, a narrowing output gap and adverse base effects to push inflation closer to 5.5-6.0% in H2 FY18,” Nomura said in a report to its clients. “As inflation risks become apparent, we also expect a 100 bps CRR hike in H2 2017 to absorb surplus liquidity,” it said. Though RBI has not reduced the repo rate, banks still have scope to cut lending rates, the central bank said. It added that the small savings rates should also be lowered as it noted that these rates are 61-95 bps higher compared with the ‘what-if ’ formula (which was introduced in April 2016 to calculate it).
Functioning, structure of India’s irst rail regulator to be evaluated for 6-8 months
Indicative direct rates in rupees a unit except yen at 4 p.m. on April 06 CURRENCY
compared with its previous close of 6.65%. RBI said the path to achieving 4% inflation would be challenging. The central
bank has set its inflation projection to an average of 4.5% in the first half of 2017-18 and 5% in the second half, while keeping its GVA growth projection unchanged at 7.4% for FY18 as compared with 6.7% in FY17. “The move to the 4% target inflation will be challenging. There is no lucky dis-inflationary forces in the horizon that were there in the past,” RBI executive director in-charge of monetary policy, Micheal Patra said. The central bank said surplus liquidity in the banking system had fallen from close to ₹8 lakh crore in January to ₹4.8 lakh crore in March. It also said it had proposed a standing deposit facility to the government in November 2015, approval for which was still awaited. SDF is a mechanism to drain surplus cash at a rate
Special Correspondent NEW DELHI
The Centre on Thursday said more than 62% of the 2.2 lakh subscribers that it surveyed complained of call drops. The survey was conducted using the Integrated Voice Response System (IVRS) that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had rolled out last December in Delhi, Mumbai, U.P., Uttarakhand, Maharashtra and Goa. By March, all States were covered under the system. “Since the launch of the IVRS system on December 23, 2016 till February 28, 2017, 16.62 lakh successful outbound calls have been made to subscribers of all TSPs across the country. About 2.21 lakh subscribers participated in the survey, out of which about 1.38 lakh (62.5%) subscribers have reported call drops,” according to a DoT statement. As per feedback received, the problem of call drops “is more severe” indoors, according to the statement. The subscribers receive an
The problem of call drops “is more severe” indoors.
IVRS call from short code 1955 and are asked a few questions on the call drop problem. They can also send a toll-free SMS to the same short code, containing the name of city/town/village, where they face frequent call drops.
Telcos use feedback The feedback is then shared with the telecom service providers on a weekly basis to take action in a timebound manner. “The TSPs have set up an elaborate mechanism for using the IVRS feedback data sent by DoT,” according to the statement. The operators have in-
‘Dire need’ “The idea was to make the rail regulator functional through an executive order as the Indian Railways is in dire need of reforming its tariff structure. The author-
ity will be subsequently strengthened later this year through the legislative route,” said a senior Railway Ministry official. “We will also examine its functioning and structure for the first six-eight months and may move to Parliament next year to give it statutory powers,” the official said, adding that the Railways Act, 1989 will be amended to insert a new chapter related to the RDA. The Ministry has targeted issuing a gazette notification to set up the Rail Development Authority by April 15. Following selection of the Chairman and three members of the regulator by a committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary, the functioning of the rail regulator is expected to begin by August this year. After being formed, the
Authority will work within the parameters of the Railways Act, 1989, an official statement had said on Wednesday. This means it can only recommend changes to passenger and goods fares to the Railway Ministry which will take a final call on fixing the tariff.
‘Lacking autonomy’ “It would be better if the Authority is set up through the statutory support so that its recommendations become binding on the government. The regulator may lack autonomy if it’s formed through an executive order,” said former Railway Board Chairman Vivek Sahai. The concept note released by the Railway Ministry early last year had stated that in cases where the government does not accept the regulat-
or’s suggested fares, “the Indian Railways would need to be compensated” through “increased allocations in the gross budgetary support or through a suitable mechanism.” However, a Railway Ministry official said the proposal was dropped later as no appropriate mechanism for compensation could be developed. All the six regulators in the country have the sanction of Parliament and have been accorded a statutory status. These include the TRAI, AERAI, IRDA, CERC, TAMP and PFRDA. In fact, the PFRDA became functional in 2003 through an executive order and legislative backing was secured through the PFRDA Act which was passed a decade later in 2013.
stalled about 2.13 lakh additional Base Transceiver Stations across the country between June 2016 and February 2017, the DoT added. The telcos submit an action-taken report to the DoT Task Force every fortnight. Additionally, the DoT Task Force meets with the TSPs once a month to discuss the issues that come up via the IVRS. The DoT said for the period February 15-28, 43,403 feedback cases had been taken up for investigation by the operators. “After telephonic calls and SMS to the subscribers to seek additional information on their call drop problem, 7,210 cases were identified for resolution. During the fortnight, 2,467 cases were resolved through optimisation, rectifying hardware/power problems, through field visits.” Cumulatively, a total of 9,328 cases have been resolved through the initiative. About 5,529 cases which were not associated with call drops but related to data, roaming and billing were also identified by the TSPs.
23,157 Corolla Altis units recalled in India Potentially faulty Takata airbag inlators prompted Toyota’s global action PRESS TRUST OF INDIA NEW DELHI
Toyota Kirloskar Motor is recalling 23,157 units of its sedan Corolla Altis in India as part of the ongoing recall of 2.9 million vehicles globally for defective air bags. The company, which is part of Japan’s Toyota Motor Corporation, is recalling 23,157 units of Corolla Altis manufactured between January 2010 and December 2012, a Toyota Kirloskar Motor spokesperson told PTI. Corolla Altis is priced between ₹15.87 lakh and ₹19.91 lakh (ex–showroom Delhi). CM YK
Fault line: Toyota is recalling Corolla Altis cars manufactured between January 2010 and December 2012.
The exercise in India is part of Toyota’s recall of around 2.9 million vehicles in Japan, China, Oceania and
other regions, including its Corolla Axio sedan and RAV4 SUV crossover, due to potentially faulty airbag
inflators. Millions of vehicles have been recalled across the globe due to defective safety airbags manufactured by Japan’s Takata Corp. It has affected vehicle manufacturers across brands, including BMW, Chrysler, Daimler Trucks, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Toyota. Earlier this year in January, Honda had recalled 41,580 units of the previous generation of Accord, Civic, City and Jazz models in India as part of a global exercise to rectify faulty airbags. M ND-ND
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IN BRIEF
H-1B visa guidance may lead to an increase in litigation New memos aim to prevent replacement of local coders with low-cost H-1B staf
Hyundai unveils new Creta, Elite i20 models
Sanjay Vijayakumar
CHENNAI
Chennai
Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), introduced new models of Creta and Elite i20. “The New 2017 Creta depicts a modern and high-tech SUV ofering with advanced technology features,” said Y.K. Koo, MD and CEO, HMIL. The irm also unveiled ‘New 2017 Elite i20,’ its compact sedan with features encompassing safety, style and infotainment.
The U.S. government’s new guidance for issuing H-1B visa, which allows technology firms to hire skilled overseas workers, may lead to increased litigation, immigration lawyers said. Just ahead of opening the H-1B visa application window, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which oversees immigration into the U.S. and processes the applications, issued guidelines which said computer programmers need to prove that it is a specialised skill to be eligible.
Essar Power registers 49% growth in FY17 MUMBAI
The Ruias-led Essar Power has generated 49% more power in the FY17 to 11,332 million units while adding 165 MW capacity to its portfolio by commissioning one unit each at its Paradip and Hazira plants. The generation increased by 57% y-o-y to 2,920 million units in the quarter ending 31 March 2017. K.V.B. Reddy, CEO, Essar Power, said: “Almost 80% of our planned capacity of 6,100 MW is now operational.”
Jubilant Life gets USFDA nod for arthritis drug NEW DELHI
Drug irm Jubilant Life Sciences said on Thursday it had received the inal approval from the U.S. health regulator for Celecoxib capsules used for the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The company “has received Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) inal approval for Celecoxib Capsules, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg,” the irm said in a BSE iling. PTI
CM YK
FMCG is the highest-paying sector in India: Randstad Power, information technology rank second and third Special Correspondent
Think ‘glocal’: A U.S. employer can still recruit foreign workers if there is a business case for it, say lawyers.
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REUTERS
placed by the low-cost H-1B visa workers. “It is pretty certain that the new memos are primarily focused on them. Time will tell.” Cyrus D. Mehta, managing attorney and founder of New York-based law firm Cyrus D. Mehta and Partners, foresees more investigations and lawsuits based allegedly on discriminating against American workers if firms hire foreign H-1B workers. “Still, the employer must have an intent to discriminate when replacing Americans with foreign workers, and not when there is a lawful business purpose for doing so, such as migrating to new platforms with new skill sets,” he wrote in an email. Indian IT firms have been one of the biggest users of the H-1B visa programme.
MUMBAI
Employees of the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry receive the highest salaries in India at ₹11.3 lakh a year as the average annual cost-to-company (CTC) across all levels and functions, according to a survey by human resources service provider Randstad. The FMCG sector is followed by power and information technology, where employees earn average annual salaries of ₹9.8 lakh and ₹9.3 lakh respectively, according to Randstad 2017 Salary Trends Study findings.
Increased scrutiny In a separate note, the agency said there would be increased scrutiny to detect H-1B visa fraud and abuse. The U.S. Department of
Justice also cautioned employers seeking H-1B visas not to discriminate against U.S. workers, warning strict action. “The new memos indicate that the USCIS will not... continue to recognise a computer programmer as a speciality occupation for
Aramco eyes stake in reinery
Emami to invest ₹800 crore to expand facilities pan-India
Twitter unveils ‘Lite’ version
Press Trust of India
Eyes ₹5,000 crore turnover from edible oils in three years
Special Correspondent
New Delhi
Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil producer, is interested in picking up a stake in India’s biggest oil refinery being planned at Maharashtra. IOC, Bharat Petroleum and HPCL plan to set up a 60 million tonnes a year oil refinery on the west coast to meet the rising fuel needs of India. “Saudi Aramco and Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. are talking to us for investments in the Indian oil sector,” Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said.
Special Correspondent MUMBAI
Emami Agrotech, the edible oil arm of the Emami Group, said it planned to invest ₹800 crore in expanding its facilities, a top company official said. “So far we have invested ₹800 crore in the edible oil business and will further invest ₹800 crore to set up refining facilities and distribution centres at Kandla, JNPT and other locations in India,” said Aditya V Agarwal, director, Emami Group.
H-1B purposes. This will no doubt lead to numerous lawsuits,” Carl Shusterman, a former attorney for the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service said in an email. He said there had been instances of U.S. programmers being terminated and re-
The company on Thursday announced the first phase of the national roll out of its edible oil brand Emami Healthy & Tasty (HT) which was so far available only in the West Bengal market. In 2016-17 Emami’s edible oil business generated a turnover of ₹400 crore and with a pan-India introduction of its oil brands to be completed in phases during this year, the company is eyeing a turnover of ₹5,000 crore from edible oil in three
years. “There is a huge potential for growth in the branded edible oil market in India where the per capita consumption is very low,” he said. “Based on our success in the West Bengal market where we have grown CAGR of 50% for last three years, we are now going national. We are confident that our edible oil will be well accepted by customers,” Mr. Agarwal said. The initial phase covered more than six States.
‘Most lucrative’ Pharma and healthcare, offering an average annual CTC of ₹8.8 lakh, and telecom at ₹8.7 lakh take the fourth and fifth positions in the list as India's most lucrat-
Money matters: Salary is a critical parameter that the workforce takes into consideration while changing jobs.
ive industries. Dr. Moorthy K. Uppaluri, MD & CEO, Randstad India, said: “In a country like India where job loyalty is considerably low, salary becomes one of the most critical parameters that the workforce takes into consideration while changing jobs. For employers too, it is an imperative to get the internal compensation structure right,
which is primarily a function of various facets like capability, experience, location, job profile, industry of operation etc.” As far as the location-specific salary trends are concerned, Bengaluru, the IT capital of India, tops the chart as the highest paying city in the country, with an average annual CTC of ₹14.6 lakh while Mumbai offered ₹14.2 lakh.
‘Point-of-sale devices set for ive-fold growth’ Digital economy to spur sales: report
NEW DELHI
Twitter on Thursday rolled out a “data friendly” version of the platform called Twitter Lite in India. The product will use up to 70% less data while loading 30% faster, according to the company. “India today is already one of Twitter’s largest and fastest growing audience markets worldwide,” Maya Hari, managing director, Twitter Asia Pacific, said. “We’ve taken feedback from our Indian users to make Twitter Lite faster.”
Staff Reporter BENGALURU
The number of point of sale (PoS) devices installed in the country is likely to increase five-fold to 76 lakh in the next five years, according to a report. “Increased penetration of debit and credit cards, growing e-commerce sector, increasing disposable incomes together with government’s massive thrust on promoting a cashless economy provide a lucrative opportunity for growth of
PoS devices in India,” said the report. “Post-demonetisation, the PoS transactions have grown manifold in the country. The cash transactions in the country has come down,” said Assocham national secretary general D. S. Rawat on the joint study by Assocham and RNCOS. “The country’s retail industry, together with sectors like healthcare, hospitality, food and beverage are major contributors to growing revenue of PoS market.”
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Supergiant Smith does the star turn Will KKR’s replacements Ajinkya sets the chase in motion; Hardik Pandya’s late charge gives Mumbai Indians a challenging total G. Viswanath
Or will the Lions roar in the irst match of their inal season?
Pune
Ajinkya Rahane and Steve Smith showed the way for Rising Pune Supergiant to notch up a big victory against Mumbai Indians in the VIVO IPL-10 match at the MCA International Cricket Stadium here on Thursday. On a surface that played true, perhaps for the first time in many IPL matches played here, Rahane straightaway got into top gear to punish Hardik Pandya’s medium-pace for three boundaries in the second over. He proceeded to look for runs against Tim Southee and Mitchell McClenaghan as Supergiant raced to 59 by the end of PowerPlay. After Rahane departed, with Nitish Rana holding his nerve to take a splendid catch deep at square-leg, Smith took charge to enable his team post a solid win. Supergiant needed 36 runs off the last four overs and 13 off the last. Pollard conceded just three runs off his first three balls, but Smith finished a thrilling match with two sixes. Earlier, Jos Buttler came up with some hard-hit boundaries and at the fag end , Hardik Pandya found a way to thump Ashoke Dinda for four mighty sixes to set a challenging target of 185. Thanks to Tim Southee lifting a straight six off the last ball sent down by Stokes and Pandya’s swashbuckling effort in the last over, MI added 36 runs off the last seven balls. None of the three bowlers, Smith tried in the first four overs vindicated his call at the toss. But, Tahir found the breakthrough in his first over; making Parthiv Patel play all over a ball that did not turn and hit the lefthander’s leg stump. Next, he foxed MI captain Rohit Sharma with a delivery that hastened off the pitch and immediately won a leg before decision from umpire S. Ravi against the rampa-
Amol Karhadkar RAJKOT
Breathing ire: Steve Smith’s knock took Rising Pune Supergiant to a thrilling win.
shots during his 28-ball tenure in the middle. After Rana’s dismissal, Kieron Pollard took on Tahir in his second spell of two overs. Even as he appeared to be set for his usual on-
IPL-10 ging Buttler. The righthander appeared to have inside-edged the ball. Nitish Rana got into the act with some courageous
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VIVEK BENDRE
slaught, Mayank Agarwal pulled off what has to be the first spectacular catch of this edition; the Karnataka player dived in front to hold the catch that gave Stokes his first IPL wicket.
Smith and Supergiant seemed to be in control of the innings. But, Hardik, held back till as late as the No. 8 position, delivered the big runs making an unbeaten 35 off just 14 balls.
RISING PUNE SUPERGIANT VS MUMBAI INDIANS
Mumbai Indians: Parthiv Patel b Tahir 19 (14b, 4x4), Jos Buttler lbw b Tahir 38 (19b, 3x4, 3x6), Rohit Sharma b Tahir 3 (7b), Nitish Rana c Bhatia b Zampa 34 (28b, 1x4, 2x6), Ambati Rayudu c & b Bhatia 10 (12b), Krunal Pandya c Dhoni b Bhatia 3 (5b), Kieron Pollard c Mayank b Stokes 27 (17b, 3x4, 1x6), Hardik Pandya (not out) 35 (15b, 1x4, 4x6), Tim Southee run out 7 (3b, 1x6), Mitchell McClen-
aghan (not out) 0 (0b); Extras (b-1, lb-1, w-6): 8; Total (for eight wkts. in 20 overs): 184. Fall of wickets: 1-45 (Parthiv, 4.2), 2-61 (Rohit, 6.3), 3-62 (Buttler, 6.5), 4-92 (Rayudu, 11.1), 5-107 (Krunal, 13.2), 6-125 (Rana, 15.3), 7-146 (Pollard, 18.2), 8-183 (Southee, 19.5), Rising Pune Supergiant bowling: Ashoke Dinda 4-0-57-0, Deepak Chahar 2-0-21-0, Ben Stokes 4-0-36-1, Imran Tahir 4-
Afghanistan is ready for Test cricket, says Nabi
0-28-3, Adam Zampa 3-0-26-1, Rajat Bhatia 3-0-14-2. Rising Pune Supergiant: Ajinkya Rahane c Rana b Southee 60 (34b, 6x4, 3x6), Mayank Agarwal c Rohit b McClenaghan 6 (5b, 1x4), Steve Smith (not out) 84 (54b, 7x4, 3x6), Ben Stokes c Southee b Hardik 21 (14b, 3x4), M.S. Dhoni (not out) 12 (12b, 1x4); Extras (lb-1, w-3): 4; Total (for three wkts. in 19.5 overs): 187.
Fall of wickets: 1-35 (Mayank, 3.1), 2-93 (Rahane, 10.1), 3-143 (Stokes, 15.2). MI bowling: Southee 4-0-34-1, Hardik Pandya 4-0-36-1, Mitchell McClenaghan 4-036-1, Jasprit Bumrah 4-0-29-0, Krunal Pandya 2-0-21-0, Kieron Pollard 1.5-0-30-0. Toss: Supergiant. Man-of-the-match: Smith. RPS won by seven wickets with a ball to spare.
HYDERABAD
Allrounder Mohammad Nabi believes cricket can be the binding force for peace back in Afghanistan given its popularity as the No. 1 sport. “A lot of youngsters are taking up the game in a big way. There is plenty of talent and this is a good augury for the sport and for the country too,” the off-spinner said. “Conditions were very difficult when we started playing. But they are a lot better now. There are very good facilities in some centres like Kabul, Kandahar, and Jalalabad. The future really looks bright,” said Nabi. “Afghanistan is ready for Test cricket especially after beating Zimbabwe at home
and away. You can’t do that unless you play quality cricket,” said the cricketer with 80 ODIs under his belt. Fresh from his impressive, match-winning six for 40 against Ireland in Noida, Nabi is clearly relishing every moment with Sunrisers. “It is a fact that when my name came up for auction, I was nervous as some of the big names went unsold by then. But once Rashid (Khan) and I were picked by SRH, we were delighted. It is a dream to play in the IPL,” said Nabi.
Fan following Nabi said he and Rashid playing in the IPL meant a lot for Afghanistan as there
was a lot of fan following and more so for Sunrisers . “The fan following is clearly growing,” he added. “I know it is very tough to get into the playing XI for SRH given the very good bench strength. But, whenever I get the chance, I am ready to prove myself,” Nabi said. “We don’t feel the pressure of being the only Afghan cricketers in action. Good performances by us can help the sport in a big way and I wish many more from my country play in the next editions,” Nabi said. “And I am eagerly awaiting to meet Muttiah Muralitharan (SRH mentor) to pick up a few tricks in the art of off-spin,” he added.
The conversion of this edition of the IPL into an Injured Premier League has led to many teams feeling the heat due to unavailability of key players. The effect will be felt at the Saurashtra Cricket Association stadium on the outskirts of Rajkot on Friday night as Gujarat Lions attempts to keep its clean slate against fancied Kolkata Knight Riders. Had all key players been fit and available, the match would have seen Ravindra Jadeja, the Lions’ hometown hero, and KKR pace spearhead Umesh Yadav pitted against each other. However, with a BCCI diktat forcing both to rest for the first two games, the teams will have to make minor changes to their starting combinations. On the back of last year’s performances, the match could also well have been a face-off between Caribbean all-rounders Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo. However, KKR’s Russell is serving a year-long suspension while Bravo — who joined the Lions on Thursday — is still recovering from a hamstring injury and is unlikely to play any part in the first half of the league stage. Having said that, all is not lost for both teams, who featured in the 2016 Playoffs. KKR has replaced Russell with England’s Chris Woakes, who is likely to have lanky pacer Ankit Rajpoot filling in for Umesh. And with an otherwise unchanged batting and spin departments, KKR is set to start its campaign on a winning note.
Reason to smile Lions also have reason to smile with Dhawal Kulkarni raring to go after spending almost four months on the sidelines due to a knee injury. The Mumbai pacer was
A. Joseph Antony HYDERABAD
Hurricane: Moises Henriques’ quickire knock was pivotal in Sunrisers’ win against RCB. K.R. DEEPAK *
Moises Constantino Henriques is the quintessential team man. In a chat with journalists on Thursday, he had more to say about his Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) teammates than his quickfire 52. That knock was pivotal in SRH’s 35-run win against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Wednesday night. “In an over where he got 16, Shikhar Dhawan gave a lot of momentum. Age didn’t matter as Yuvraj made batting seem so easy, his bat swing pure and natural. Coming early in the tournament, it’s fantastic to see him batting so well,” gushed Henriques. “In four seasons with SRH, I have seen Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) to be the most consistent. His per-
Says he will miss the next ive years if he goes back to wicketkeeping with his bad back Shreedutta Chidananda Bengaluru
Looking to the future: A.B. de Villiers, seen relaxing with his son, has taken a break from Tests in order to prolong his ODI career. K. BHAGYA PRAKASH *
over the last 5-7 years. Some games I couldn't believe what I was witnessing. It's defin-
itely here to stay, forever, hopefully. I love watching Test cricket. As a player, it's
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GUJARAT LIONS V KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS Sony ESPN, Sony Six, Sony Max (SD & HD), 8 p.m.
will be back < > Jadeja after two games and Dwayne is (still) doing his rehab... I can’t say anything on his comeback
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exceptional for Lions in their debut season and is hoping to make a statement on his return to the big stage. Kulkarni looked at his best while bowling to the powerhitters from his team under lights at Khanderi on Thursday night. Barring that, Lions have plenty to ponder going into the tournament. Captain Suresh Raina has hardly had any game-time ever since featuring in the T20 series against England in January. With Jadeja missing from
Suresh Raina, Gujarat Lions captain
its ranks, the spin attack, including chinaman Shivil Kaushik, left-arm spinner Shadab Jakati and young leggie Tejas Baroka, has become brittle, to say the least. As Gambhir said on Thursday, an injury to someone is an opportunity for another. Will the Knight Riders replacements make a name for themselves or will the Lions roar in the opener of what would be their last season?
IPL breaks down barriers, says the quintessential team man
Major trophy for South Africa not far away: de Villiers A.B. de Villiers may have taken a long break from Test cricket, but it is clear he still holds the format in high regard. His absence from the fiveday game, though, is born out of a desire — at 33 — to extend his ODI career through to the 2019 World Cup, and win a major trophy with South Africa. Speaking after launching his new mobile application, AB17, developed by FanHero, here on Thursday, de Villiers was candid in his views on a number of subjects. Excerpts. Future of Test cricket: The way T20 has hit the ground, it was always going to be a challenge for Test cricket to keep people involved and interested. But the ICC have got it right in the last few years, and not neglected Tests. There's been some unbelievable Test cricket played CM YK
Think-tank: KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir, seen with coach Jacques Kallis, feels that injuries open up opportunities for others to stake a claim. PTI
The higher I bat in T20, the better: Henriques
The allrounder is relishing every moment with Sunrisers V.V. Subrahmanyam
make a mark?
the real challenge and the real test. On maybe falling short of
10,000 runs in Tests: I mean no disrespect to anyone who has ever achieved that — but it means absolutely zero to me. I don’t care about that at all. Dealing with South Africa's history in ICC events: (Graeme Smith called it an ‘unfortunate reality’ in a recent column for the ICC.) I don’t think it’s ever been difficult for us to deal with. Maybe Graeme found it difficult when he was playing. I see it as a challenge and an opportunity to do something special. Unfortunately we haven’t won a tournament yet, but we get another chance in 2017 and again in 2019. I truly believe that we’re not far away. Until we cross that hurdle, that question will always come up. I feel our team spirit and our culture is exceptionally strong, which is the kind of thing you need when you carry a 'tag' like that. Reconsidering wicket-
keeping: Definitely not. I'll miss the next five years if I start ’keeping again. My back won't allow that. My back is sore because of all those years of ’keeping. Current fitness: I'm going to test it out this afternoon. We've got a nets session. I'll hit a couple of balls, see what it feels like and then we'll make a call. The quota system in South African cricket: It is part of our country. It’s something out of the team’s control. We addressed that issue in our last 'culture camp'. We had a full-on honesty session where everyone put all their issues on the table, and that’s one of the things that came up. It’s out of our circle of trust. We’ve accepted it as a cricket team. I still believe that we are, if not the best, one of the best teams in the world. With all our challenges and obstacles along the way, it’s something we have crossed.
formances have been world class on pitches that don’t suit bowlers much. “In yesterday’s win, his yorkers were perfect,” said the towering pro, who needed three rounds of surgery on his broken jaw after a collision with Surrey teammate Rory Burns in a NatWest T20 Blast game against Sussex at Arundel. On his elevation to No. 3 in the batting hierarchy, he said it was humbling to be given precedence over someone such as Kane Williamson. “I rate Kane much higher than myself for he is a world class batsman,” acknowledged the Aussie allrounder. “It was nice to get a crack at 3, because it offers more opportunities to score runs. The higher I bat in Twenty20, the better,” he surmised.
On frequent switches in formats, he said it had become part and parcel of international cricket. “It’s necessary to perform on whatever stage and adapt to what’s thrown at you,” he said. With such athleticism, how come he chose cricket in a sports-mad country ? “I was born to Portuguese parents, pretty fond of football. But right from childhood I was passionate about cricket,” he explained. Is the IPL a calming influence, considering the heated series against Australia that preceded it ? “The IPL breaks down barriers. Players get to know each other off the field and that’s where true friendships are built. After all, life’s more important than cricket,” concluded Henriques.
Amazing to see Kohli grow as a leader: AB Special Correspondent Bengaluru
A.B. de Villiers has hailed Virat Kohli as a “true leader”, while admitting that he originally harboured doubts over the latter's captaincy potential. “It has been an amazing journey to watch him grow as a leader,” the South African said here on Thursday. “In the beginning, when people mentioned to me he has leadership qualities and might become a captain one day, I doubted it. “Always a great player, but I thought he was very emotional with his reactions. He has found a way to deal with it. He is still an emotional, passionate character, but he can manage and control that. “He did not have the best of series with the bat [against Australia], but what stood out for me was his leadership. That's the greatest test for a captain, when you don't do
well personally. “They beat the Aussies and the way they controlled themselves by not going overboard with the celebrations [was good], they looked the opposition in the eye. I think all of those things come from him. He has become a true leader.” de Villiers added that Kohli was the best batsman in the world, while rejecting that label himself. “I don't think I can be the best batsman. I don't play all formats,” he said. Kohli and he had grown in each other's company, de Villiers felt. “I enjoy watching his passion. He is giving me that passion in old age. I think he is on the same kind of road [as I], realising it is not all about passion and energy all the time. You have to step back sometimes and make some clear decisions. Maybe that is something he has seen from me.” M ND-ND
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THE HINDU
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Hazard ires Chelsea charge Djokovic leads
IN BRIEF
Serb challenge
Bournemouth holds Liverpool, Arsenal nails Hammers
ICC nominee: SC’s directive sought Press Trust of india
Agencies
USA and Australia face of
LONDON
Harden powers Rockets over Nuggets
Chelsea ticked off three more points in its Premier League title quest with a 2-1 victory over Manchester City on Wednesday but Tottenham Hotspur’s Houdini-like 3-1 win at Swansea means the race is far from over. With Chelsea leading fourth-placed City at an edgy Stamford Bridge courtesy of Eden Hazard’s first-half brace and Tottenham, which kicked off 15 minutes earlier, trailing 1-0 at Swansea, a decisive swing in Chelsea’s favour loomed. However, Dele Alli’s 88thminute equaliser for Tottenham followed by stoppagetime strikes from Son Heungmin and Christian Eriksen means Chelsea’s lead remains seven points. Sergio Aguero’s equaliser, his 15th league goal of the season, looked to have given City the launchpad to increase Chelsea’s jitters but Fernandinho’s rash tackle on Pedro for a penalty which Hazard scored on the rebound meant Guardiola was outsmarted by Conte. Arsenal moved up to fifth, four points behind City with a game in hand, after a 3-0 home victory over struggling West Ham United, a first win in four for Wenger’s side. Joshua King’s late leveller for Bournemouth in a 2-2 draw at Anfield all but knocked Liverpool out of the title equation as it is 12 points adrift of Chelsea.
HOUSTON
James Harden recorded his 61st double-double and delivered a scoring flurry down the stretch to carry Houston Rockets to a season sweep of Denver Nuggets in the NBA on Thursday. Rockets won 110-104. Other results: Clippers 112 bt Mavericks 101, Warriors 120 bt Suns 111, Lakers 102 bt Spurs 95, Thunder 103 bt Grizzlies 100, Cavaliers 114 bt Celtics 91, Raptors 105 bt Pistons 102, Heat 112 bt Hornets 99. AGENCIES
Brazil back on top of FIFA rankings ZURICH
Brazil surged to the top of the FIFA World rankings for the first time in seven years on Thursday, upstaging Argentina. In third place is Germany, followed by Chile and Colombia. AFP
Bukharina is India relay team coach KOCHI
Former Olympic sprint relay bronze medallist Galina Bukharina, a Russian who later migrated to the US, has been appointed coach of the Indian 400m and relay teams. The Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel approved the appointments of Bukharina and Australian race walking coach Dave Smith on Thursday, and they will be with the Indian team till the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Agence France-Presse BELGRADE
Novak Djokovic spearheads Serbia’s bid to reach the Davis Cup semifinals for the first time since 2013 and reboot a career which has stalled since his history-making French Open victory. Shock early losses at Wimbledon, the Rio Olympics and Australian Open have been compounded by a recent elbow injury which sidelined him from the Miami Masters. Since the start of 2017 Djokovic has won just seven matches but he insists that this weekend’s Davis Cup clash at home to Spain provides the perfect platform for the defence of his French Open title, the only Grand Slam still in his possession.
Make that two! Eden Hazard slots in the penalty, for Chelsea’s second goal, past Manchester City ’keeper Willy Caballero. MIKE HEWITT/GETTY IMAGES The results: Premier League: Liverpool 2 (Coutinho 40, Origi 58) drew with Bournemouth 2 (Afobe 7, King 87); Chelsea 2 (Hazard 10, 35-pen) bt Manchester City 1 (Aguero 26); Arsenal 3 (Ozil 58, Walcott 68, Giroud 83) bt West Ham 0; Southampton 3 (Redmond 45, Yoshida 84, WardProwse 85) bt Crystal Palace 1 (C. Benteke 31); Swansea 1 (Routledge 11) lost to Tottenham 3 (Alli 88, Son 90+2,
Athletes’ awareness is far from satisfactory CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC 앫 There are too many loopholes in our system: Noted lawyer Vidushpat Singhania CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
KOLKATA
India ranking third for the third consecutive time in the list of countries with antidoping rule violations (ADRVs) record for 2015 and the government mulling over bringing a law to criminalise the offence of doping have directed the focus on the efficiency of the country’s anti-doping system. Like many other countries, the government is trying to fulfil an obligation to fall in line with the International Convention against Doping in Sports passed by UNESCO in October, 2005. But the point to ponder is whether our country, where athletes primarily come from humble backgrounds and awareness about antidoping issues is far from being satisfactory, is ready for such a law. The other important question is whether our antidoping mechanism is matching the best standards being practised around the world. Some sports administrators, who are fed up with the embarrassing number of dope positive results, may favour sending the guilty to jail
but without adequate expertise to handle such issues it may turn out to be a premature and harsh step. “There are too many loopholes in our system. We have a National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) consisting of six people. They have not been able to educate (the athletes properly). They are not taking any action against any coach or federation (for spreading doping). You cannot just keep punishing the athlete. You have that criminal system when you have a proper system in place,” said noted lawyer Vidushpat Singhania, who has worked as a counsel for several athletes charged with doping. Even though the NADA, which functions under the direct supervision of the Union Sports Ministry despite being an autonomous body, has achieved decent success by testing a large number of athletes and penalising a good chunk of
Five-time champion Spain won the only previous meeting between the two countries 4-1 in 2009, with Rafael Nadal defeating Djokovic in the decisive rubber. The winner will take on either France or Great Britain for a spot in the final. The European rivals meet at Rouen with Britain hampered by the loss of world No.1 Andy Murray, out with an elbow injury. In Brisbane, 28-time winner Australia hosts the United States, champion on a record 32 occasions. The two meet for the 47th time.
Karman advances
*
India needs to strengthen its anti-doping system irst Y.B. Sarangi
DAVIS CUP QF Belgium v Italy (Charleroi) Australia v USA (Brisbane) France v Great Britain (Rouen) Serbia v Spain (Belgrade)
them, the six-man organisation catering to several thousand athletes across the country has not been able to function in a dynamic manner. Following the implementation of the 2015 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code, the National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) were expected to take up the task of investigation and intelligence gathering. NADA had been toying with the idea of roping in investigators and collecting information on drug supply chains for the last two years but is yet to achieve any significant result. “We don’t have any investigation. In America, they did a proper investigation of Lance Armstrong and of Balco. Their police are doing a proper job. Here we don’t have any idea,” said Singhania. The lack of enough awareness about drugs and supplements is another area of concern. “There is no system of supplement testing, No system to label drugs or supplements. We have a system of ayurveda and other medicines where we don’t know what is happening,” he added.
Erikssen 90+4); Hull 4 (Markovic 14, Niasse 27, Hernandez 33, Maguire 70) bt Middlesbrough 2 (Negredo 5, de Roon 45+1). La Liga: Barcelona 3 (Suarez 25, Messi 27, 33) bt Sevilla 0; Leganes 2 (Pires 32, Neves 35) lost to Real Madrid 4 (Rodriguez 15, Morata 18, 23, Mantovani 48og); Deportivo La Coruna 0 drew with Granada 0; Alaves 0 lost to Osasuna 1 (Berenguer 88); Sporting Gijon 0 lost to
Malaga 1 (Sandro 40). Bundesliga: Borussia Monchengladbach 1 (Benes 16) bt Hertha Berlin 0; Mainz 2 (Jairo 69, Muto 89) lost to RB Leipzig 3 (Sabitzer 48, Werner 52, Keita 81); VfL Wolfsburg 0 lost to Freiburg 1 (Niederlechner 78); Augsburg 2 (Verhaegh 76-pen, Halil Altintop 82) lost to Ingolstadt 3 (Kittel 24, Cohen 35, 67); Darmstadt 0 lost to Bayer Leverkusen 2 (Brandt 15, Volland 56).
Sports Bureau Heraklion (Greece)
Karman Kaur Thandi defeated Mila Eklund 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the second round of the $15,000 ITF women’s tournament here on Thursday. The results: $15,000 Futures, Jakarta: Quarterfinals: Brydan Klein (GBr) bt Haadin Bava 6-1, 6-4. $25,000 ITF women, Santa Margherita di Pula (Italy):
First round: Vivien Juhaszova (Svk) & Polina Leykina (Rus) bt Eva Wacanno (Ned) & Prarthana Thombare 6-2, 2-6, [10-8]. $15,000 ITF women, Heraklion (Greece): Second round: Karman Kaur Thandi bt Mila Eklund (Fin) 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. $15,000 ITF women, Hammamet (Tunisia): First round: Federica Arcidiacono (Ita) bt Snehadevi Reddy 6-7 (6), 6-2 6-3.
Vanshika overcomes sluggish start, in semiinals SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI
Vanshika Thakur recovered from a slow start to beat Anandini Nagda 2-11, 11-4, 11-8 in the girls’ under-11 quarterfinals of the PNB Metlife junior badminton championship at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium on Thursday. The results: Boys: Under-17 (third round): Mukul Teotia bt Lakhan Yadav 15-9, 15-9; Vimal Prajapat bt Ajit Kumar Ashutosh 15-11, 6-15, 15-9; Himanshu Dabas bt Nandis Poddar 15-11, 13-15, 1511; Harsh Kumar bt Suraj Tewatia 15-6, 11-15, 15-4; Aman Gupta bt Naman Singh Nehra 15-10, 15-10; Chirag Seth bt Himansh Batra 15-7, 14-15, 15-11; Rehan Rathee bt Hariom 15-14, 14-15, 15-9; Devvrat bt Sanskar Chopra 15-10, 8-15, 15-9; Mohit Kumar bt Akash Paswan 15-1,
13-15, 15-7; Arjun Rehani bt Akash 15-7, 13-15, 15-7; Vaasu Himmatramka bt Keshav Makker 15-5, 14-15, 15-8; Rishi Kukreja bt Kanishk 11-15, 15-14, 15-10; Shubham Patel bt Shivam Mehta 15-11, 15-11. Under-13 (fourth round): Chirag Khatri bt Sarwar Deshwal 15-7, 15-3; Manish Phogat bt Vansh Dev 15-11, 15-10; Anmol Bhutani bt Veer Pratap Singh 15-13, 15-13; Ryan Ranjan bt Abhigyan Sharma 15-12, 14-15, 15-9; Aaryan Sapiah bt Likhit Srivastava 15-12, 15-11; Neer Nehwal bt Abdul Qadir Jeelani 15-12, 15-12; Pulkit Bansal bt Siddharth Rawat 15-12, 15-13; Khooshee Kumar Pankaj bt Vedanth Sudhir 15-10, 15-12; Manraj Singh bt Yash Dabas 15-6, 15-6. Under-11 (quarterfinals): Neer Nehwal bt Mohammad Arsh 11-4, 11-7; Chirag Choudhary bt Vibhas Agarwal 11-6, 11-8; Vansh Dev bt Divyansh Rawat
11-7, 11-5; Devvang Tomar b Ryan Ranjan 11-9, 11-9. Under-9 (quarterfinals): Manjeet Chaoudhary bt Shiven Upmanyu 11-5, 11-4; Arjun bt Uday Bhan Mehra 11-8, 11-4; Ayush Kumar bt Nishant Sehwag 11-7, 11-3; Akash Singh bt Harsh Choudhary 11-1, 9-11, 11-9. Girls: Under-17 (third round): Aashi Rawat bt Priyanshi Katiyar 15-3, 15-4; Shehjar Chowdhury bt Khushi Thakkar 15-10, 15-10; Arushi Singh bt Ayushi Dhasmana 3-15, 15-13, 15-12; Simran Chaudhary bt Suhani Khatri 1514, 10-15, 15-11; Adya Parashar bt Vibhuti Sharma 15-8, 15-7. Under-15 (fourth round): Sneha Rajwar bt Saloni Goyal 15-4, 15-3; Sakshi Phogat bt Ayush Dodhwal 15-14, 15-13; Khushboo Sao bt Meenal Rautela 13-15, 1510, 15-14; Anupama Upadhyaya bt Khushi Pant 14-15, 15-5, 15-7; Suhana Mansoori bt Anusha Singh 13-15, 15-9, 15-4.
Under-13 (third round): Anwesha Goowda bt Muskan Mishra 15-10, 15-14; Stuti Agrawal bt Hiya Wadhwa 15-11, 11-15, 15-8; Muskaan Sangwan bt Siddhi Kumar 15-10, 15-11. Khushboo Sao bt Suhana Mansoori 8-15, 15-13, 15-10; Myra Grover bt Megha Nasir 1415, 15-5, 15-14. Under-11 (quarterfinals): Anmol Kharb bt Riddhima Sahrawat 11-4, 11-1; Unnati Hooda bt Khushi Punia 11-4, 11-5; Vansihika Thakur bt Anandini Nagda 2-11, 11-4, 11-8; Anwesha Gowda bt Manvi 8-11, 11-3, 11-1. Under-9 (quarterfinals): Madhumita Ramamoorthy bt Manya Lalani 4-11, 11-8, 11-7; Ashe Singh bt Ashlesha Sharma 11-6, 11-7; Ananya Bhardwaj bt Harshita Yadav 11-5, 11-2; Shruti Chouhan bt Naisha Ahlawat 11-6, 11-4.
New Delhi
The Committee of Administrators (CoA) on Thursday informed all State units that it will seek the Supreme Court’s directive on BCCI’s representative at ICC meetings and asked the members to keep that in mind before taking any decision at the Special General Meeting on April 9.
Shyam in inal Press Trust of India Bangkok
K. Shyam Kumar (49kg) advanced to the final but Rohit Tokas (64kg) took bronze going down in the semifinals of the Thailand International boxing tournament here on Thursday. Shyam Kumar defeated Mongolia’s Gankhuyag Gan-Erdene in the last-four stage.
Rajput wins boys’ u-18 title Sports Bureau CHANDIGARH
Shashikant Rajput defeated Bhupender Dahiya 6-1, 6-4 in the under-18 boys’ final of the AITA Championship series junior tennis tournament at the CLTA Stadium on Thrusday. It was a double crown for Shashikant as he won the doubles title with Naresh Badgujar. The results: Boys: Under-18: Final: Shashikant Rajput bt Bhupender Dahiya 6-1, 6-4. Semifinals: Dahiya bt Naresh Badgujar 6-0, 4-6, 6-4; Rajput bt Tushar Sharma 6-1, 6-2. Doubles: Final: Rajput & Badgujar bt Akarshit Mahajan & Yuvraj Kooka 6-2, 6-1. Under-14: Semifinals: Ajay Singh bt Jitin Chetry 4-6, 6-2, 6-0; Sarabjot Singh bt Pranav Chopra 6-4, 7-6(3). Doubles: Final: Chetry & Sukhpreet Jhoje bt Chopra & Sarabjot 6-4, 6-3. Girls: Under-18: Semifinals: Kaavya Sawhney bt Ashpreet Bajwa 6-0, 6-0; Harleen Kaur bt Himanshika 6-2, 6-3. Doubles: Final: Kavya & Srishti Dhir bt Harleen & Aishwarya Andalkar 6-1, 6-2. Under-14: Semifinals: Nimrat Atwal bt Krishti Boro 6-4, 6-3; Kuhoo Atray bt Prachi Batra 6-2, 6-2.
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\ DELHI ROUND-UP \
All-rounder Shawej stars for Rann Star CC
the 27th All India Om Nath Sood memorial tournament. The scores:
Man-of-the-match Shawej Khan scored crucial 34 unbeaten runs and picked up three wickets, while Nitish Lochab and Unmukt Chand scored half-centuries each as Rann Star Cricket Club beat Sonnet Cricket Club by seven wickets and enter the prequarterfinals of
SCC 206 all out in 39.1 overs (Milind Kumar 62, Dhruv Shorey 42; Shawej Khan three for 20, Rahul Chaudhary two for 37, Vikas Dixit two for 47) lost to RSCC 210 for three in 29.3 overs (Nitish Lochab 58, Unmukt Chand 52, Mohit Ahlawat 39 not out, Shawej Khan 34 not out).
Playerz XI posts wins Dhruv Jain’s 50 and Aviral Himmatramka’s 42 helped Playerz XI beat Nav Durga XI by 19 runs in the 5th Roshanara Premier League. The scores: Playerz XI 169 for three in 20 overs (Dhruv Jain 50, Aviral Himmatramka 42, Jaspreet Singh Dhingra 30; Paras Anand three for 30) bt Nav Durga XI 150 for six in 20 overs (Hridey Sagar 57).
ZenithXI 147 for five in 20 overs (Aditya Kaushik 47, Gursimar Singh 31; Navdeep Sethi two for 38) lost to Saya Rowdy Rhinos 151 for one in 17.3 overs (Vinayak Gupta 77 not out, Kshitij Garg 51).
Ayush hits rapid century Delhi under-19 player Ayush Badoni scored a 73-ball 109 and Sumit Kumar made 97 as Trans Yamuna Cricket Association beat TN
Academy by 43 runs in the 10th Hargopal under-19 tournament. The scores: TYCA 272 for six in 35 overs (Ayush Badoni 109, Sumit Kumar 97; Ayush Jamwal two for 41, Vaibhav Chaudhary two for 43) bt TN Academy 229 for seven in 35 overs (Ayush Jamwal 67, Gagan Vats 49; Prashant Kumar two for 14, Rachit Kapoor two for 33, Sandeep Kumar two for 34).
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THE HINDU CROSSWORD 11975 1
2
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5
6
7
(set by Anon)
12 Is sucked in by allure of middleman’s personality (8)
2 Dumpling, tea for tropical American bird (5)
13 Mystic nag performs acrobatics (9)
3 Exiles bears (7)
FAITH
SUDOKU
Spirit of surrender
8 9
10
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13
16
15 European capital’s chief superintendent covered in fur coat (5)
12
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16 Auditor governs English city (5)
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21 22
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25
27
18 Suspends station’s one end (4,5)
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22 Hatred of one report (8)
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23 Meal missing second spice, but starter is irst class (6)
28
25 Since dance, get facelift, glow (10) 26 Looking back at endless journal of attack (4)
■ ACROSS 1 Equip irst computer programmer with squadron (6) 4 Father to secure mansion (6) 9 Fell backward into space (4) 10 Expert inally writes dissertation on artiicial limb (10) 11 I escape from riot with squad (6)
CM YK
27 Regularly impound returning communist who’s forward thinking (6) 28 Marching editor has drink with girl (6) ■ DOWN 1 Excuse a traveller with empty gypsy (7)
5 Missing receptacle lacking top handle (6) 6 Served up pita fries with pre-dinner drinks (9) 7 Turing’s machine initially solved mysteries (7) 8 In a riot, noticed scenes of vanity (13) 14 Darwin, extremely learned, adjusted to European nation (9) 17 Poison shell split by Myanmar Buddhist (7) 19 Remove waste surrounding America (7) 20 Sweetheart, adventurous, embraces student (7) 21 Goldsmith has old European currency, we hear (6) 24 Tata, for one, is returning in Paris (5)
Solution to puzzle 11974 MA N A G O O U D Y S E N E T S WA R H L I S I G N P H I A P A T H T A T E S T B E C I R O O S T E R U D E E P E
I N E T E D O L E O S S Y A N A I L N
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T
P E N S U H R E A D
C P R E A M N T E P A
O F E B B R R I L V E
S R Y N C
O P L E R X C E N E E R O N I C I D E R S N E O U N D N A C Y I P C A T E T L M E N T
Solution to yesterday’s Sudoku
The Tirukkural captures the spirit of renunciation and surrender thus: ‘When one attaches himself with the Lord who is free from all attachments, he is bound to eternal happiness. A new bond is gained when all other bonds are broken. One is no longer ensnared in delusion.’ Scriptures hail the renunciation of all that one considers as one’s own and offering oneself wholly to the Lord as the highest spiritual attainment, the only means by which a jivatma can attain salvation. In a discourse, Damal Ramakrishnan and Perundevi pointed out that Vibhishana exemplifies this spirit when he chooses to leave his ties with Ravana who stands in adharma. Though born in the rakshasa race, Vibhishana is described as a dharmatma, one who is by nature a righteous person. He can never be a part of adharma. Generally, the rakshasas engage in severe penance to gain boons that confer power and invincibility. But Vibhishana had sought the boon of infinite wisdom, instead of infinite power, and the tendency to tread the path of righteousness. Hence he knows all along that Rama is the Lord Narayana whom he worships and so decides to seek His feet. He appears before the group of monkeys on the northern shores where Rama and Lakshmana stay and stands in the skies along with four other rakshasa warriors. Even as the monkeys are ready to attack them, Vibhishana, freed from delusions, speaks fearlessly about the purpose of his coming to Rama’s camp when war with Lanka is imminent. When Vibhishana’s plea is accepted, he falls at Rama’s feet, and once again repeats his wishes: “I know fully well that you are the refuge for all beings and hence I seek your feet. I have renounced my friends, wealth, Lanka, etc and come here. My place, life and well being henceforth belong to your kindness and grace.” M ND-ND
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THE HINDU
SPORT 15
NOIDA/DELHI
FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2017
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TV PICKS Davis Cup: India v Uzbekistan, DD Sports, 3 p.m. World Group: Neo Sports, 6.30 p.m. U.S. Masters: Live streaming on www.masters.com, 5.30 p.m West Indies v Pakistan: 1st ODI, TEN 2, 7 p.m. NBA: Sony Six & Six HD, 5 a.m. (Saturday) La Liga: TEN 1 & 3, 12.10 a.m. (Saturday)
IN BRIEF
Jayaram stuns Axelsen to reach quarterinals KUCHING (MALAYSIA)
Ajay Jayaram entered the quarterfinals of the Malaysia Open Super Series with a hard-fought 9-21, 21-14, 21-19 victory in 44 minutes over fourth seed Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen here on Thursday. Unseeded Jayaram will clash with fifth-seeded Son Wan Ho of South Korea in the last eight. PTI
Bangladesh levels series COLOMBO
Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by 45 runs in the second T20I to finish the two-match series level in Colombo on Thursday. Bangladesh dismissed Sri Lanka for 131 runs in 18 overs after scoring 176 for nine at R. Premadasa Stadium. Bangladesh’s win spoiled a brilliant hat-trick by Lasith Malinga, who finished with three for 34. The scores: Bangladesh 176 for nine in 20 overs (Imrul Kayes 36, Soumya Sarkar 34, Shakib Al Hasan 38, Lasith Malinga three for 34 incl. a hat-trick) bt Sri Lanka 131 in 18 overs (Chamara Kapugedera 50, Thisara Perera 27, Shakib Al Hasan three for 24, Mustafizur Rahman four for 21).
Ramkumar to start tie against Ismailov
Heartbreak for Paes The veteran hits out at the inconsistent selection policy Ashwin Achal Bengaluru
Prajnesh to play second singles against Fayziev; no place for Paes N. Sudarshan
DAVIS CUP
BENGALURU
The city seems to have wretched luck with the name Novak Djokovic. The last time the leafy environs of the KSLTA Stadium inside the pristine Cubbon Park played host to a Davis Cup tie, it was decked up to receive the Serbian superstar, only for him to pull out citing personal commitments and fatigue. This time it was the turn of Djokovic’s most-recent Grand Slam slayer — there haven’t been many — Denis Istomin, who beat him at the Australian Open, to keep everyone on tenterhooks until he decided not to make the journey owing to a lingering foot injury. As the Asia-Oceania Group I Round Two tie gets under way, shorn of star power, with India captain Mahesh Bhupathi choosing to overlook Leander Paes’ candidature also, and with all four singles players from both countries outside the ATP top-250, it is indeed distinctly underwhelming.
Golden opportunity To be fair, Davis Cup has never been a top entertainment product. Its scheduling, format, terminologies all seem arcane. Only in recent years have the big stars really warmed up to it. But its allure is best captured in the words of the rank and file and the unheralded, for whom it is a golden opportunity to experience the limelight and become heroes for a week or two. “We are all getting a chance to be a part of the team and to play for the
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC ORDER OF PLAY 앫 Ramkumar Ramanathan vs. Temur Ismailov 앫 Prajnesh Gunneswaran vs. Sanjar Fayziev CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
Magniicient setting: India and Uzbekistan Davis Cup teams at the draw ceremony held in the vicinity of the Vidhana Soudha on Thursday. V. SREENIVASA MURTHY *
country,” Prajnesh Gunneswaran, India’s second singles player had told The Hindu recently. “It feels like we are part of something bigger.” At the draw ceremony held at the Vidhana Soudha, the seat of the State legislature of Karnataka, it emerged that Ramkumar Ramanathan, India’s No.1 singles player, would open against Temur Ismailov first up on Friday. This is Ramkumar’s fourth Davis Cup fixture and perhaps the most important, shouldering the responsibility in the absence of Yuki Bhambri. The 22-year-old, who of-
ten does his utmost to rev up the crowd, will hope for a performance to match his actions. For Ismailov on the other hand, this will be his first live rubber.
Familiar with five-setters In the second singles Prajnesh will meet Uzbek No.1 Sanjar Fayziev. Of all the four singles players, the latter might have the best preparation as he is the only one who has past experience of having played five sets. Against South Korea in February, he stretched Hyeon Chung, a player ranked as high as 51 and one who had just beaten the Croatian sensation Borna
Coric at the Aircel Chennai Open, to five sets. Then a day later, he combined with Istomin to play five more sets in doubles. “These things shouldn’t be an issue at all,” Bhupathi said, to much surprise. “To draw a parallel, fitness was never my forte but I’ve played 14 or 15 sets over a weekend in Davis Cup. The adrenaline kicks in, the team is behind you. Things just take shape.” The weekend will show how but what might add to the intrigue is the fact that these sets of players have never met each other. Bhupathi’s source of knowledge was “a lot of YouTube videos”. The closest the Uzbeks have come to acquainting themselves with the Indians was when Farrukh Dustov saw Ramkumar practice during a Futures tournament back home. In the past, these two teams have split the last four ties between them but have rem ained unassailable at home. Bhupathi’s hope, in his first tie as captain, will be for that trend to continue. Order of play (3 p.m. start) Ramkumar Ramanathan vs. Temur Ismailov followed by Prajnesh Gunneswaran vs. Sanjar Fayziev
A disappointed Leander Paes hit out at the rationale used to drop him from the Davis Cup doubles rubber. At the draw ceremony held here on Thursday morning, it was revealed that Sriram Balaji and Rohan Bopanna will play together. With Balaji being an automatic choice based on his good run in recent ITF Futures events, it was a toss up between Bopanna and Paes for the second spot. While Bopanna reached the final of the Dubai Championship last month, he has had three first round exits in his last three tournaments. Paes took the Leon Challenger Tour title at Mexico last week. “The criteria was supposed to be form, which obviously doesn’t seem to be the case. I too won an ATP Challenger. Also, Leon’s altitude is over 1800 metres, which is double that of Bengaluru,” Paes said. “Mahesh (Bhupathi) is the captain, so he has the right to choose whoever he wants. But, I think whatever the criteria is, it should be adhered to consistently. At one time, it is based on rankings, the other time it is based on likes and personal preferences. Sometimes it is based on who plays on deuce court and who plays on ad court. And now it is based on form. On form, you know who has played better,” Paes said. The veteran doubles star did not take kindly to being called up to the squad, only to be dropped after travelling half-way across the world.
Why not a phone call? “All this nonsense shouldn’t be there. When it comes to playing for the country. I firmly believe in one simple
Leander Paes.
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phone call — you are needed, or you are not needed. In fact, on Monday, I’ve got a tournament in Houston. So from Mexico, I have come all the way here, now I have to go all the way back again. It’s not easy. Mahesh is a professional, he’s
played until recently. A simple phone call would have done the job.” he said. Paes emphasised that his love for the sport and the nation will remain undiminished. “My love for the India flag, the country, and the people, is unconditional,” he said. The 43-year-old stayed optimistic about what the future holds for him. “Sometimes you have to take things on the chin, and keep working hard. I would like to play more Davis Cups ties. I will play Challengers and other tournaments, and I will work my way back to the top again” he said. Paes added that he will not be present during the tie.
Bhupathi’s take Principal Correspondent BENGALURU
India Davis Cup captain Mahesh Bhupathi defended his decision to pick Rohan Bopanna ahead of Leander Paes, saying the former poses a bigger threat on the court. “The conditions are quick here. Rohan has been serving well, and seeing the ball well. He has had a good start to the year,” said Bhupathi. He hinted that Paes could have been selected if he had practised with the squad right from the start of the camp. “These boys have been here since Sunday. Sriram Balaji and Rohan Bopanna have been playing a lot of sets together,” said Bhupathi. “Unfortunately for Leander, yesterday was his first day. He played three games before it started raining. Doubles in Davis Cup is always a high-stress situation, so throwing
Leander and Balaji in would have been a roll of the dice for me.” But when reminded that he himself had turned up on a Wednesday for many a tie during his playing days, Bhupathi said: “I think every captain has a different style. I run the team the way I think it should be run. I think that 25 years of experience should give me the ability to do so.” This is not the end of the road for Paes, Bhupathi insisted. “His being on the team is invaluable in terms of experience and energy.” Meanwhile, former captain Anand Amritraj said: “I feel both [Mahesh and Leander] played it wrong here. Leander should have been told earlier. I find it hard to believe that it [decision] was done late on Wednesday. It should have been made earlier. And Leander too should have asked for clarity before landing.”
Rose, Sullivan, Fitzpatrick grab share of lead Agence France-Presse Augusta (USA)
England’s Justin Rose, Andy Sullivan and Matthew Fitzpatrick grabbed a share of the early first-round lead Thursday at the Masters after Belgium’s Thomas Pieters found watery disaster in Amen Corner. American Kevin Chappell joined the English trio and Masters debutante Pieters on 2-under atop the leaderboard in cool and windy conditions at Augusta National in the year’s first major championship. Pieters made five birdies without a bogey in the first 10 holes to seize a three-shot lead but opened Amen
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AUGUSTA MASTERS Corner with a bogey at the par-4 11th and then plunked a shot into Rae’s Creek on his way to a double bogey at the par-3 12th. That’s the same hole where a double splashdown into Rae’s Creek by Jordan Spieth led to his 2016 quadruple bogey disaster that cost him the final round lead. World No. 1 Dustin Johnson took practice swings at the Masters without apparent problems, amid optimism he would play in the opening round despite a back injury.
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THE HINDU
FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2017
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IN BRIEF
Smoking causes one in 10 deaths worldwide: study 50% of the deaths attributable to tobacco use occured in China, India, USA, and Russia in 2015, according to the Global Burden of Disease report Press Trust of India New Delhi
Pope Francis to wash feet of prison inmates VATICAN CITY
Pope Francis will wash the feet of inmates at the Paliano prison, which houses mafia turncoats, in an Easter week ritual meant to show willingness to serve. The April 13 Mass at the facility, located in a fortress outside Rome, would be “strictly private”, the Vatican said. AP
NASA astronaut gets space mission extended WASHINGTON
Peggy Whitson, who broke Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams’ record for the most spacewalks by a woman, is poised to set a new record for cumulative time spent in space by a U.S. astronaut, NASA has said. Instead of returning in June as was planned, she will now be back in September. PTI
A study has found that smoking caused one in ten deaths worldwide in 2015, half of them in just four countries: China, India, the United States and Russia. About 6.4 million deaths worldwide was caused by smoking in 2015 and 52.2% of them took place in China, India, U.S. and Russia, according to the latest estimates in the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) report published in medical journal The Lancet. China, India, and Indonesia, the three leading countries with male smokers, accounted for 51·4% of the world’s male smokers in 2015. India has 11·2% of the world’s total smokers.
Deaths attributable to smoking increased by 4.7% in 2015 from the figures in 1990 and smoking was rated as a bigger burden on health — moving from the third to the second highest cause of disability, the study said. The estimates are based on smoking habits in 195 countries and territories between 1990 and 2015. “The U.S., China and India, which were the leading three countries in total number of female smokers, accounted for 27·3% of the world’s female smokers,” it said. While Indonesia, Bangladesh and the Philippines did not have significant reductions in the numbers of men smoking daily com-
pared to 1990 figures, the Philippines, Germany, and India had no significant decreases in smoking among women for the same period.
Battle far from won The authors of the study warned that the war against tobacco is far from won, and argued that despite implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2005, policy makers need to make renewed and sustained efforts to tackle it. Worldwide, between 1990 and 2015, smoking prevalence decreased by almost a third — from 29.4% to 15.3%. But one in four men worldwide continue to smoke, as do one in 20 women. Popula-
Clear message: Students display the ‘No Smoking’ sign on their berets during a campaign against tobacco use. AP *
tion growth has led to an increase in the overall number of smokers from 870.4 mil-
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Puddle hoppers
Reindeer police: the only force of its kind in the world Agence France-Presse Norway
LOS ANGELES
Dashing through the rain: Children cross a channel illed with rainwater on their way to school in Morigaon district of Assam on Thursday. The State has been receiving continuous showers in the past few days. RITU RAJ KONWAR *
Berlin gives refuge to Rosa Parks’ house Germany-based artist Ryan Mendoza transported the dilapidated two-storey structure from the U.S. Agence France-Presse Berlin
Rosa Parks fled the American South for Detroit in the 1950s at the height of her civil rights struggle. Now the house where she sought asylum has itself found refuge in a city an ocean away: Berlin. U.S. artist Ryan Mendoza, who is based in the German capital, helped rescue the dilapidated two-storey structure from the wrecking ball and rebuilt it board by board in his garden. This week he will invite the public to have a look. Mr. Mendoza, 45, says the house’s odyssey holds up a mirror to two societies: his bitterly divided homeland grappling with the rise of President Donald Trump, and Germany, where more than a million people fleeing war and misery have sought asylum in the last two years. “By disregarding this house, the United States has shown a disregard for civil rights,” Mr. Mendoza said, as he gave a preview of the reconstructed clapboard structure in the city’s ethnically diverse Wedding district.
“For example, India, where 11·2% of the world’s smokers live, supplemented the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) with the creation of a National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) in 2007. “NTCP was created to strengthen implementation and enforcement of the various provisions of COTPA at the state and district level. It has been rolled out in phases and currently covers about 40% of all districts in India,” the study said. The 10 countries with the largest number of smokers in 2015 were China, India, Indonesia, U.S., Russia, Bangladesh, Japan, Brazil, Germany and the Philippines.
It sorts out conlicts over grazing grounds in Lapland
Christian Bale may play Dick Cheney in biopic The ‘Dark Knight’ himself, Christian Bale (43), is in talks to play the lead in a biopic of Dick Cheney that Paramount Pictures and Plan B Entertainment hope to begin shooting in September. In the film on the former U.S. Vice President, Steve Carell may play Donald Rumsfeld, the former Defense Secretary. NYT
lion in 1990 to 933.1 million in 2015, the study said. The study said Pakistan,
Panama and India stand out as three countries that have implemented a large number of tobacco control policies over the past decade and recorded marked declines in the prevalence of daily smoking since 2005, compared with decreases recorded between 1990 and 2005. The study said the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), is necessary and vital for creating a policy environment for more effective tobacco control worldwide but is not enough to fully address each country’s tobacco-control needs. The nations will need to both implement FCTCstipulated measures and supplement such policies and programmes.
In safe hands: A ile photo of artist Ryan Mendoza in front of Rosa Parks’ house in Detroit.
“Civil rights are not just important for black people but also for white people who want to differentiate themselves from their racist forefathers. The Germans completely understand what this house has to say.” Having lived in Europe for more than two decades, Mr. Mendoza said Berlin’s earnest reckoning with its own
dark history as well as a mood of “love and tolerance” made it the right haven for the house.
Full circle “Maybe it’s not a coincidence that the city that is now taking into refuge this house is a city born out of a wall being broken down, and the country that is so intent on
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building a wall up is the country that has lost this house,” he said. Parks, an African-American seamstress, refused to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama on December 1, 1955, triggering a wave of ultimately successful protests against racial segregation. She became a hero of the in-
ternational civil rights movement but relentless death threats in the South forced her to escape to Detroit. Mr. Mendoza said the modest three-bedroom home at 2672 South Deacon Street housed 17 people — her brother’s family — at the time Parks lived there, between 1957 and 1959. She never moved back to Alabama, and died in Detroit in 2005 at the age of 92. Battered by floods and break-ins, the blighted house eventually ended up on the city’s long demolition list. Parks’ niece Rhea McCauley, a retired artist, bought it back for $500 but was unable to raise the funds to restore it. Enter Mr. Mendoza and his wife Fabia, who had already transposed one Detroit house to Europe as part of an art project probing themes of rootlessness and displacement. They said they have become the “foster parents” of the Parks house. Ms. McCauley, 69, said she is grateful to the Mendozas and is sure Parks herself would have approved of the move to Berlin.
Mathis Andreas, an indigenous Sami reindeer herder, sees a snowmobile with glowing fluorescent strips approach his remote cabin in the frozen tundra and worries what the neighbouring herder may think. It’s the “reindeer police” in Norwegian Lapland, the only force of its kind in the world. Their job is to prevent conflicts between herders and ensure the Far North doesn’t turn into the Wild West. Here, far above the Arctic Circle, the reindeers’ grazing grounds can be a source of conflict. Some argue there are just too many reindeer, while harsh weather conditions can make it difficult for the animals to access their main diet, lichen, under the ice-covered snow. The Sami — formerly known as Lapps, a term now considered pejorative — have been herding since ancient times, selling the reindeer meat, pelts and antlers which are used in handicrafts. On the Finnmark plateau in northeastern Norway, where the herds spend the winter grazing after returning from their summer pastures on the coasts, the number of reindeer has been capped at 1,48,800. Herders don’t always agree on the division of their grazing grounds, with no fences separating them. Insults, threats, stealing or killing animals, and, more rarely, fisticuffs or gunshots: although it’s nearly deserted, the far North is no stranger to violence. Enter the “reindeer police”.
Keeping the peace “If there’s a disagreement between one herder and another, we play the gobetween and we try to find a solution. We are a kind of peace mediator,” says Jan Tore Nikolaisen, a former soldier, who has served in the unit for more than a year. In 2013, two herders from Kautokeino, the main village in Finnmark, were jailed for beating up a rival who had
Chilly beat: A reindeer police oicer rides his snow scooter during a patrol in Norwegian Lapland. AFP *
ventured onto their pasture. They tied him up with a lasso, then left him alone in freezing temperatures and took his snowmobile key. Another area is so confrontational locals have nicknamed it “the Gaza Strip”. “It has happened that a conflict worsened and became physically violent, although I’ve never experienced it. But the atmosphere can be tense and people shout insults,” says Jim Hugo Hansen, Mr. Nikolaisen’s colleague. “Everyone is not always totally pleased, but we usually find a solution so that each herder can go about his business,” he adds.
A punishing expedition The reindeer police patrol that Mathis Andreas saw approaching his cabin is just paying a courtesy call, it turns out. Grazing conditions have been good in the area in recent years, making for peaceful coexistence. But there have been conflicts in the past, admits Mr. Andreas, 47, whose family have been herders since the 18th century. Mr. Andreas recalls a harsh expedition he conducted with another man around 30 years ago against three other herders. The trio had brought their herds to his uncle’s pasture and assaulted him with a sharp tool. “We gave them what they deserved,” he recounts, a bit cryptically at first, aware of the presence of his police guest at his side. The men later moved
their animals to a neighbour’s pasture further north, where they, he says with a pause, “received a clear message to move promptly”.
Changing the past “They moved even further north, to a third pasture, and there, too, they were roughed up,” he says. “They never came back.” “We weren’t used to calling the police at the time.” As he speaks, Mr. Andreas keeps a close eye on his meal bubbling away on a wood stove. It’s reindeer cheek, tongue and rectum. “It’s fat, it’s very good.” The “reindeer police” was created in 1949 to put an end to the widespread poaching that erupted after the Nazis’ scorched earth policy left the region devastated. Today, the 15-member force patrols an area of 56,000 square kilometres more often by snowmobile and quad bike than by car, usually at a distance so as not to frighten the herds. “Entire weeks can go by without us seeing a reindeer,” admits Mr. Hansen. The force’s very name is debated, as its members deem it too narrow and misrepresentative. “We don’t just work on reindeer herding,” says its chief Inger Anita Ovregard at their headquarters in Alta. “We also watch over nature and ensure that the public respect the rules, whether it be hunting, fishing or motorised travel,” Ms. Ovregard adds.
Pepsi pulls controversial ad Twitter users said the commercial trivialised protest Reuters
PepsiCo pulled a commercial featuring model Kendall Jenner after the advertisement prompted outrage and ridicule from those who said it trivialised rights protests and public unrest in the United States. The ad, released late on Tuesday, shows the fashion celebrity and reality TV star in a photo shoot when she sees protesters marching. Removing her wig and makeup, Jenner joins the crowd and hands a baseball cap-wearing police officer a can of Pepsi, prompting him to smile while marchers cheer and hug. “Pepsi was trying to project a global message of unity, peace and underCM YK
standing,” the company said in a statement. “Clearly we missed the mark, and we apologize. We are removing the content and halting any further rollout.” Pepsi also apologised to Jenner.
Missing the mark The spot drew criticism on Twitter, with users saying it belittled the anti-police violence protests held in cities including Ferguson, Missouri, and Baltimore following police killings of unarmed black men and women. Pepsi said the ad was created by its in-house shop, Creators League Studio. Charlie Hopper, creative director at advertising agency
Young & Laramore said such backlash is a risk brands take when they lack outside perspective. “This is a good example of what happens when you don’t get the objective input of a classic agency relationship that can say, ‘We need to save you from your worst impulses,’” he said. Observers quickly condemned the ad, which did not make clear what the marchers were protesting. “If I had carried Pepsi, I guess I never would have gotten arrested. Who knew?” activist DeRay McKesson, one of the bestknown voices of the Black Lives Matter movement, tweeted. “Pepsi, this ad is trash.” M ND-ND
